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16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

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method: 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
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par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminer^  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ^  signifia  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

^^^^i^^^mmmmm^mmfmmmfi^ 


rw— T'H 


lUf/JWE* 


^l! 


K 


/) 


'W 


HARDSCRABBLE, 


OR,   THE 


FALL    OF    CHICAGO. 


A    TALE    OF  INDIAN    WARFARE. 


•I      # 


Bv  MAJOR    RICHARDSON, 

Author  of 

**wacousta;  or,  the  prophecy,"  "matilda  MOirroouERiE ;  or,  the  prophect 

FULFILLED,"   *'  ^CAAT^  ;  OK,  THE  SALONS  OF  PAtIS,"  ETC.,   ETC. 


I 


K 


NEW  YORK: 

POLLARD    &    MOSS, 

42  Park  Place  and  37  Barclay  Street. 

1888. 


^^SmSSBBSSSSBSB^Bm 


■E^ssassssa 


A 


HARDSCRABBLE; 


o«i 


THE    FALL     Of    CHICAGO. 


CHAPTER   I. 

It  was  on  a  beautiful  day  in  the  early  part  of  the  month  of  Ayiril,  1813, 
that  four  persons  were  met  in  a  rude  farm-house,  situated  on  the  Sotrheru 
Branch  of  the  Chicago  river,  and  about  four  miles  distant  from  the  fort  of 
that  name.  They  had  just  wsen  from  their  humble  mid-day  ra^al,  and  thre« 
of  them  were  now  lingering  near  the  fire-place,  filled  with  blazing  logs, 
which,  at  that  early  season,  diffused  a  warmth  by  no  means  dinag'-eeiihle, 
ajd  gave  an  air  of  cheerfulness  to  the  interior  of  the  smoke-discolored  build* 
Ing, 

Ue  who  appeared  to  be  master  of  the  establishment  was  a  tall,  good  look- 
ing man  of  about  forty-five,  who  had,  evidently,  been  long  a  denizen  of  the 
forest,  for  his  bronzed  countenance  bore  traces  of  care  and  toil,  while  hia 
rugged,  yet  well-formed  hands  conveyed  the  impression  of  the  unceasing 
war  he  had  waged  against  the  gigantic  trees  of  this  Western  land.  He  waa 
habited  in  a  hunting-frock  of  grey  homespun,  reaching  ?boat  half  way  down 
to  his  knee,  and  trimmed  with  a  full  fringe  of  a  somewhat  d.irker  hue.  Hie 
trowsers  were  of  the  same  material,  and  both  were  girt  around  his  loins  by 
a  common  belt  of  black  leather,  fastened  by  a  plain  white  buckle,  into 
which  was  thrust  a  sheath  of  black  leather  also,  containing  a  large  knife 
peculiar  to  the  backwoodsmen  of  that  day,  His  feet  were  enc.ised  m 
mocca>;inft,  and  on  his  head,  covered  with  strong  dark  liiiir,  was  carelessly 
donned  a  slouched  hat  of  common  black  felt,  with  several  plaited  folds  of  the 
sweet  grass  of  the  adjoining  prairie  for  a  bfind.  He  was  seeiiyingly  a  man 
of  strong  muscular  power,  while  his  stern  dark  eye  denoted  tirmness  and 
daring. 


P.  I  /    3 


^m 


seas 


Tlio  eMiT  of  rlie  two  men,  to  who-n  fliis  iiiJi\ii!u;il  siool.  c\iile'  lly,  Jn 
tlie  cliarai'ter  of  a  •;!ii)eriof,  wii-^  n  shurr  t:ii('k--i'i  person  of  nlimit  t'lt'iy,  wit.fi 
hnjrt'  wliiskt'i's  tliar,  ()ri;;iii,il!y  bl;v(;k,  hi'l  Iuhmi  sli^i'itly  irri/,/Jeil  by  riino 
His  eyvlii'ows  w'LM'i'  Imsliy  and  ()verliiin;;i;ig,  find  .'ilmost  ooJioealod  the  siiifill, 
Rfid  twinklinf^  *>y*^'"*,  wliicl:  it  reqtiirt'il  tl  e  bidi'>lil,.r  to  ciicoiintcr  rnoro  loan 
<Mice  before  he  coidd  deride  tlieir  true  r.  l')r  to  l)e  a  dark  };ray.  A  blanket 
'•••iftf  tli.'it  bn  1  oiicf  bct'ti  wbitc.  btir  wliicfi  tlip  ;)rti(tr\  of  ^oini'  b'llf  dozen  win 
ters  had  changed  into  a  dirty  yellow,  enveloped  Ids  latbci  fidl  form,  around 
whicli  it  was  confined  by  a  coarse  wor.sed  sash  of  luingled  bine  and  re<i, 
thickly  studded  with  minute  widte  beads.  His  trowsers,  with  broad  seain«*, 
iitler  the  fashion  of  tlie  Indian  leggin,  wore  of  a  dark  crimson,  approaching 
to  a  brick-dust  color,  and  on  liis  feet  he  wore  the  stitf  shoe-puck,  wiiich,  with 
the  bonnet  bleu  on  ids  grizzled  head,  and  tiie  other  parts  of  his  dress  already 
described,  attested  him  to  be  what  he  wa^— a  French  Canadian.  Close  at  hia 
heels,  and  moving  as  he  moved,  or  squtlted  on  his  haunches,  gazing  into  the 
faco  of  his  tna>ter  wlien  stationary,  was.  a  large  dog  of  the  mongrel  breed 
ptcnliar  to  the  country — evidently  with  wolf  blood  in  his  veins. 

IJis  companion  was  of  a  ditferent  style  of  figure  and  costume.     He  was  a 
thin,  weak-looking  man,  of  iniddlo  height,  with  a  complexion  that  denoted 
his  Saxon  origin.     Very  thin  brows,  retrousse  nose,  and  a  light  gray  eye  ii: 
which  might  be  traced  an  expre<sion  half  simple,  half  cuninug,  completed 
the  picture  of  this  ])ersonago,  whose  lank  body  was  encased  in  an  (»ld  Ameri- 
can uniform  of  fadbd  blue,  si>  scanty  in  i"s  proportions  that  the  wrists  of  the 
wearer  wholly  exposed  themselves  beneath  the  short,  narrow  sleeves,  while 
the  skirts  on.y  "shadowed  not  concealt  I,"  that  part  of  the  body  they  had 
been  originally  ii  tended  to  cover.     A  I'air  of  blue  pantaloons,  |>erfectly  in 
keeping,  on  tlie  score  of  scantiness  and   age,  with  the   coat,  covered  the 
i'.tonuated   lower  limbs  of  the  wearer,  on  whose  head,  moreover,  was  stuck 
a  conical  cap  that  had  all  the  appearance  of  having  been  once  a  portion  of 
the  same  ni\iform,  and  had  only  undergone  change  in  the  loss  of  its  peak. 
A  small  black  leather,  narrow  ridged  sto<'.k  was  clasped  around  his  thin,  and 
i»cave-crow  neck,  and  that  so  tightly  that  it  was  the  wonder  of  his  compan- 
ions how  strangulation  had  so  long  been  avoided.     A  dirty,  and  very  coarse 
linen  shirt,  showed  itself  partially  between  the  bottom  of  the  stock,  and  the 
uppermost  button  of  the  coat,  which  was  carefully  closed,  while  his  feet  were 
(.rotocted  from   the   friction  of  the  sti'%  though  nearly  wornout,  nnlitarjr 
fhoes,  by  wisps  of  hay,  that  supplied  ti.e  absence  of  the  sock.    This  man 
was  about  five  and  thirty. 

The  last  of  the  little  party  was  a  boy.    He  was  a  raw-boned  lad  of  about 
fourteen  years  of  age,  and  of  fair  ootnplexion,  with  blue  eyes,  and  an  immeos* 


nATiDscnAniiLE ;   oh,  the  kali,  of  CmCAOO. 


1> 


head  of  busliy  liair,  of  the  snine  fine,  which  seemed  never  to  have  known 
the  use  of  the  comb.  M-  t\et  wt-re  naked,  and  his  trowser.-^  and  shirl,  the 
only  urticlefl  of  dresa  v].  .  Iiim  (il  tlje  inoiiient,  were  of  li  htHnespuii  Bonie- 
what  reseinbhng  in  color  the  htiuiing  frock  of  his  master.  A  thick  hiack 
leather  strap  was  aUo  around  l.id  loins — evidently  part  of  an  old  bridle 
rein. 

Tiie  two  men  first  described,  drew  near  tlie  fire  and  lighted  their  pipes. 
The  ex-militairj  thrust  a  .;:i>l  of  tobacco  into  liia  cheek,  and  taking  np  a 
•mail  piece  of  pine  board  tiiat  rested  against  the  chimney  cnrner,  split  a  por- 
tion otrtliiri  with  his  jack-knife,  and  commenced  whittling.  The  boy  busied 
himself  in  clearinj,'  the  table,  thro»ving  occasionally  scraps  of  bread  and  dried 
▼eiiison,  which  had  constituted  the  chief  portion  of  tlie  meal,  to  the  dog, 
which,  however,  contrary  ti">  custnin,  paid  little  attention  to  these  marks  of 
fhvor,  but  moved  impatiently,  at  intervals,  to  the  door,  then  returning,  squat- 
tod  himself  again  on  his  haunches,  at  a  »bort  distance  from  his  master,  ani 
ittenng  a  low  sound  oetwist  a  whme  and  a  growl,  looked  piteously  up  into 
his  face. 

*' Vat  tlie  devil  is  de  matter  wid  yoo,  Loup  Garou?''  remarked  the  Cana- 
dian at  length,  as,  removing  the  pipe  from  his  lips,  he  stretched  his  legs,  and 
poised  himself  in  his  !o\v  wood-bi  ttomed  chair,  putting  forth  his  right  hand 
at  tlie  same  time  to  his  canine  follower.  "  You  not  eat,  and  you  make  noise 
as  if  you  wish  me  to  see  one  racoon  in  de  tree." 

"Loup  Garou  don'i  prato  about  coons  I  guess,"  drawled  the  man  in  the 
faded  uniform,  without,  however,  remcrving  his  eyes  from  the  very  interest- 
ing occupation  in  which  he  was  engaged.  That  dog  I  take  it,  Le  Noir,  means 
something  else — something  more  than  we  human  critters  know.  By  gosh, 
boss,"  looking  for  the  fir^t  time  at  him  who  stood  in  that  position  to  the 
rest  of  the  party — ''  If  toe  can't  smell  the  varmint,  I  take  it  Loup  Garou 
does." 

At  this  early  period  of  civilization,  in  these  remote  countries,  there  was 
little  distinction  of  rank  between  the  master  and  the  man — the  employer  and 
the  employed.  Indeed  the  one  was  distinguished  from  the  other  only  by  the 
instructions  given  and  received,  in  regard  to  certain  services  to  be  performed. 
They  labored  together — took  their  meals  together — generally  smoked  together 
— drank  together — conversed  toj^'ethor,  and  if  they  did  not  absolutely  sleep 
togetlier,  often  reposed  in  the  same  room.  There  was,  therefore,  nothing 
extraordinary  m  tin-  fatniliar  tcne  in  which  the  ci-devant  soldier  nr»sv 
addressed  him  whom-  ui,  ■  I  lieip  he  was.  Tin.-  latter,  however,  was  in  i\n 
iiritahle  mood,  and  lie  imswercd  tha^ply. 

''  What  have  you  got  into  yotir  f<M.!i^h  head  now,  Ephraim  Giles?     Yo" 


«*■ 


JtmiiM 


BSB 


a 


HARDSCRABBLE  ;    OR,    THE   FAT.L   OK  CTIIfAOO. 


do  nothing  but  prophesy  evil.    What  vHrniint  do  you  talk  of,  and  what  has 
Loup  Garou  to  do  with  it?    Speak,  what  do  you  mean? — if  you  mean  any 
thing  at  all." 

As  he  uttered  this  half  rebuke,  lie  rose  abruptly  from  his  chair,  shook  the 
a^^hes  from  his  pipe,  and  drew  himself  to  his  full  height,  with  his  hack  to  the 
fire.  There  liad  been  nothing  very  remarkable  in  the  observation  made  by 
the  man  to  whom  he  had  addressed  Itimself,  but  he  was  in  a  peculiar  state 
of  mind,  that  gave  undue  importance  to  .  very  word,  sounding,  as  it  did,  a 
vague  presentiment  of  some  coming  evil,  which  the  very  singular  manner  of 
the  dog  had  created,  although  he  would  scarcely  acknowledge  this  to  himself. 

The  man  made  no  reply,  but  continued  whittlj'jg,  humming,  at  the  same 
time,  the  air  of  "  Yankee  Doodle." 

"  Answer  me,  Ei)hraim  Giles,"  peremptorily  resumed  his  master ;  "  leave 
off  that  eternal  whittling  of  yours,  if  you  can,  and  explain  to  me  your 
meaning." 

"Etarnal  whittling!  do  you  call  it,  Bdss?  I  piiess  it's  no  snnh  thing. 
No  man  knows  bettor  nor  you,  that,  it  I  can  whittle  the  en)a!lest  stick  \n 
creation,  I  can  bring  down  the  stoutest  tree  ns  well  as  ere  a  fellow  in 
Michiirau.  "Work  is  \vo)-k — play  is  play.  It's  only  the  dift'eretice,  I  reckon, 
of  the  axo  and  the  Ktjife," 

"  Will  you  answer  my  question  like  a  man,  and  not  like  a  Tool,  as  yo« 
are?"  shouted  t^ie  oiJier,  stooping,  and  extending  his  left  liand,  the  finj:er« 
y{  which  he  insinuated  into  the  stock  already  described,  wliile,  with  « 
powerful  jerk,  lie  both  brouglit  tiie  man  to  his  feet,  and  thv  blood  into  hia 
DBUally  cadaverous  ciieek. 

£p}a'aim  Giles,  halt-ihrortled,  and  writhing  with  pain,  made  a  movement 
as  if  he  would  have  used  the  kuil'e  in  a  much  le^s  innocent  muimer  Uiau 
whittling,  but  the  quick,  stern  eye  of  Lis  mufcier,  detected  tiie  involuMury 
act,  and  hii^  band,  suddenly  reliuquisiiing  its  hold  of  tiie  collar,  grasped  iba 
wrist  of  the  Kuldler  with  such  a  vice-like  pressure,  that  the  tiugurs  imu.cdi* 
ately  opened,  and  the  kniie  fell  upon  the  hearth. 

The  violence  of  iiis  own  act,  brought  Air.  Lie}  wood  at  ouce  to  a  sense  oi 
the  undue  severity  he  iiad  exercised  towards  his  servant^  and  he  immediaitsly 
Baid,  taking  his  hand : 

*'£phraim  Giles,  forgive  me,  but  it  was  not  intended.  Yet,  I  know  not 
bow  it  is,  the  few  words  you  spt)ke  just  now  made  me  anxious  to  know 
what  you  meant,  and  1  could  not  repress  my  imputieuce  to  hear  your 
explanation." 

The  soldier  had  never  before  remarked  so  much  dignity  of  manuer  about 
his  Boss,  as  be  termed  Mr.  Hoy  wood,  and  this  luct,  added  to  the  recoUectioa 


'% 


1 


I 


HARnsCRABBLE  ;    OR,    THE   FALL   OF   CHICAOO.  7 

H  tlio  severe  Imudliog  he  liad  juht  met  with,  caused  him  to  be  a  little  more 
resiiecttul  iu  hi»  ad(lre.»s. 

"  Well,  I  reckon,"  he  .«.ai  I,  i>icki/iflf  up  his  knife,  and  resuming  his  whittling, 
but  in  a  less  absorbed  aiaiiner,  ''  1  meant  uu  harm,  but  merely'  that  Loup 
trurou  can  nuse  an  lujiii  heitc-r  ili.iu  ere  a  one  of  us." 

"Nose  an  Indian  tci;cr  than  'iiiy  one  of  us!  Well,  perhaps  he  can — he 
Be3s  them  every  day,  but  what  has  that  to  do  with  his  whining  and  growling 
just  now  ?" 

"  Well,  rU  tell  you,  Bos3,  what  I  mean,  more  plain-like.  You  know  that 
patch  of  wood  borderiu^  on  the  prairie,  where  you  set  me  to  cut,  t'other 
day »" 

''  I  do.    What  of  that  ?" 

"  Well,  tlien,  this  moruin'  I  was  cuttin'  down  as  big  an  oak  as  ever  grew 
in  Alicliigan,  when,  as  it  went  thunderin'  through  the  branches,  with  noise 
enough  to  scare  every  bull'alo  within  a  day's  hunt,  up  started,  not  twenty 
yartls  fruia  its  tip,  ten  or  a  duzerf  or  so  of  Iiijin»,  all  gruntiu'  like  pigs,  and 
looking  as  fierce  as  so  many  red  devils.  They  didn't  look  quite  pleasant,  I 
calcilate.'* 

"Indeed,"  remarked  Mr.  Hey  wood,  musingly;  "  a  party  of  Pottowattamiei 
]  presume,  from  the  Fort.  We  all  know  there  is  a  large  encampment  of 
them  ill  the  neighborhood,  but  they  are  our  friends." 

"May-be  so,"  continued  Ei)l)raim  Giles,  "but  the?e  varmint  didn't  look 
over  friendly,  and  then  I  guess  liie  Pottowattamies  don't  dress  in  war  paint, 
'cept  when  they  dance  for  liquor." 

"And  are  you  quite  sure  thasu  Indians  were  in  their  war  paint?"  asked 
his  master,  with  an  ill-concealed  look  of  anxiety. 

"No  mistake  about  it,"  replied  Giles,  still  whittling,  "and  I  could  almost 
swear,  short  as  tiie  squint  was  I  got  of  'em,  that  they  were  part  of  thoM 
who  fought  us  on  the  Wabasli,  two  years  ago." 

"How  80,  den,  you  are  here,  Qile.  If  dey  wicked  Injin,  how  you  keep 
Yonr  f:inny  little  cap,  an  your  scalp  under  de  cup  ?"  ^ 

This  question  was  usked  by  the  Canadian,  who  had  hitherto,  while  puffing 
-ts  pil>e,  listened  iiiditlerenily  to  the  conversation,  but  whose  attention  bad 
now  become  arrested,  from  the  moment  that  his  fellow-laborer  had  spoken 
of  the  savages,  so  sriHii^ely  disturbed  Ijy  him. 

"  Well,  I  don't  exncily  know  ftbout  that,  myself,"  reriirned  the  soldier, 
slightly  raising  his  ■-.n  Miifl  -iprMtc  liinir  liin  ci-nwi),  jis  it  in  recolU'ction  of  some 
narrowiy  e.'-capt'd  dai:^  i.  "I  rr<  kun,  i)i(>\  wlieii  I  .ste  tiicio  slope  u(»  like  a 
covtn  of  red-lt^gti!  j.itu iiigt-,  i.i\  luart  wa?  in  my  mouth,  for  1  looked  for 


3MI« 


mt 


m 


8 


BARDflCRABBLR  ;    OU,   TIIH  F.M  L  OK*  CTIICAOO. 


nothin*  else  but  that  same  operation :  bnt  I  wur  just  as  well  pleased,  wTieiy 
after  talkin'  their  gibberish,  and  makin*  all  eorta  of  signs  ainuug  themselveAf 
they  made  tracks  towards  the  open  prairie." 

**  And  why  did  yoa  not  name  this,  the  instant  yon  got  humet"  somewliat 
sternly  questioned  Mr.  Hey  wood. 

"  Where's  the  use  of  spiiin*  a  good  dinner?"  returned  the  soldier.  "  It 
was  all  smokin'  hut  when  I  came  in  from  chopping  and  I  thought  it  best  for 
every  man  to  tuck  it  in  before  I  said  a  word  about  it.  Besides,  I  reckon  I 
don't  know  as  they  meant  any  harm,  seein'  as  how  they  never  carried  oft 
my  top-knot; — ffcly  it  was  a  little  queer  they  were  hid  in  that  way  in  the 
wooils,  and  looked  so  fierce  when  tliey  first  jumped  up  in  their  nasty  paint.' 

"Who  knows,"  remarked  Mr.  Hoy  wood,  taking  down  his  rifle  from  tiie 
side  of  the  hut  opposite  to  tlie  chitimey,  and  eztiiiiining  the  pgming,  "  but 
these  fellows  may  liavc  tracked  you  back,  and  are  even  now,  lurking  near 
Us.     Ephraim  Giles,  you  kIiouM  have  told  me  of  this  before." 

"And  so,"  replied  the  sohlier,  "I  was  jroiu'  tt),  when  Li>np  Garou  be^ran 
with  his  capers.  Thet)  it  was  i  gave  a  pnr.ihlti  like,  about  his  eceiitiu'  the 
varmint  better  nor  we  huiiuin  critters  could." 

"Ephraim  Gile.'*,"  said  Mr.  Hevwood,  sharply,  wlilo  he  fixed  his  dark  eye 
opon  him,  as  if  he  would  have  read  his  inmost  soul,  "  oil  suy  that  you  have 
been  a  soldier,  and  fought  with  our  army  on  the  Wabash.  Wiiy  did  you 
leave  the  service  ?" 

"Because,"  drawled  the  cx-militaire,  with  a  leering  expression  of  his  eye, 
"my  captin  was  a  bad  judge  of  good  men  wheQ|he  had  'em,  and  reckotje<l 
I  was  shammin'  when  I  fell  down  rale  t>ick,  and  was  left  beiiind  in  a  charge 
made  on  the  liijins  at  Tippecauoe.  I  couldn't  stand  the  abuse  he  gave  me 
fur  this,  and  so  I  loft  him." 

"Cool,  indeed,"  sneered  Mr.  Heywood  ;  "now  then,  Ephraim  Giles,  hear 
my  opinion.  Your  cai)tain  thought  you  were  a  coward,  for  he  judged  yuu 
fW)m  your  conduct.  I,  too,  judge  you  from  your  conduct,  and  liave  do 
hesitation  in  pronouncing  you  to  be  a  rogue  or  a  fool." 

"  Well,  1  want  to  know  1"  was  the  only  rejoinder  of  the  man,  as  he  went 
en  Qnconc«rnedly  with  his  whittling. 

"  Le  Noir,"  said  his  master  to  the  Canadian,  who,  imitating  his  exam]  le, 
had  taken  down  a  lung  duck  gun  from  the  satne  side  of  the  hut,  "  take  \our 
dog  with  you,  and  reconnoitre  in  the  neighborhood.  You  speak  Indian,  and 
if  any  of  these  people  are  to  be  seen,  ascertain  who  they  are  and  why * 

Here  he  was  interrupted  by  the  gradually  approaching  sounds  of  rattling 
deer  hoofs,  so  well  known  as  composing  oue  of  the  lower  ornaments  of  the 
Indian  war-dress,  while,  at  the  same  moment,  the  wild  moauMig  of  Lonfr 


( 


r 


nAnnftriiAnni.R  ;  on.  thk  fati,  or  ciiicaoo.  $ 

OaroQ,  then  itnnJing  at  t)i«  front  d(K)r-wa}',  was  renewed  even  more  plAm> 
lively  limn  before. 

Mr.  IleywotMl'!*  clieek  I'laiicbca.  It  wafl  not  witli  feftr,  for  lio  wjis  a  inaa 
incHpahle  of  tear  in  tlie  ooniinon  iKxeptiition  of  the  word,  bin  iiid>'|ifn<!enily 
of  certnin  vukiio  a])iM-elitMi.sions  for  otiieis,  Ids  mind  liad  been  in  a  great 
de):ree  iiiiliiii|re(l  by  an  unaccountable  presentiment  of  evil,  which  instinct- 
ively h.-nl  come  oser  it  that  day.  It  wft»  this,  that,  inducing  a  certain 
irresoU)  till  ess  «if  thought  and  action,  Imd  led  him  into  a  manifestation  of 
jwevish  contradicrtion  in  his  address  to  Enlinum  Giles.  There  are  moments, 
when,  withniit  kno\vin;jf  why,  the  ner\es  of  the  stron^fcst — the  purposes  of 
the  wJMest,  are  unstrung — and  when  it  rcijuires  nil  our  tftft  and  Helf-posses^ioIJ 
t4)  •  eta]  Irom  others,  tlic  i;iomentary  weakness  we  almost  blush  to  admit  to 
ourpelves. 

liut  there  was  no  time  for  reflection.  The  approach  to  the  door  was 
•luUKnly  shaded,  nnd  in  the  next  instant  tlie  djfrk  forms  of  three  or  U  nr 
pavaues,  s^^et'dily  followed  by  others,  amounting  in  a.i  .  >  twelve,  besides  tht-ir 
chief,  who  wiw  in  the  advance,  crossed  the  threshold,  ii.id,  witliuiit  uttering 
a  wunl,  cilhfr  ol  niif:er  or  salutation,  f;qnatted  themeelves  upon  the  tloor. 
They  Wire  stout,  athletic  warriors,  I^e  perfect  .nnu'try  of  \-  liose  [»ersoiia 
C4iuld  n()t  b*'  I'tticealed  evi'ii  by  the  hideous  wur-paint  with  which  they  were 
thickly  ^trl■akl'^l — inspiring  anything  but  contidenoe  'n  the  honesty  or  friend- 
lint  ri  of  tlii'ir  intentions.  Tlie  head  of  each  was  sliaved  and  painted  as  well 
a*  liis  person,  ar  d  oidy  on  the  extreme  crown  had  been  leii  a  tuft  of  hair,  tt» 
whicii  wore  attuehed  leathers,  and  small  bones,  and  other  fantjuslic  oriiumenta 
peitiiliar  to  their  race — a  few  of  them  carried  American  ritles — the  majority, 
the  common  g'ln  |  eriodically  dealt  out  to  the  several  tribes,  as  presents  froiu 
tlie  Hriii-h  (invernment,  while  all  had  in  addition  to  their  j»ipe-tomahawks« 
the  formidable  nnd  polished  war-clnb. 

Bucli  visitors,  and  so  unned,  were  not  of  a  description  to  reinore  tl;-? 
ifji'rehensioiis  of  the  little  party  in  the  furm-honse.  Their  very  silence, 
»d?ttvl  to  their  dark  and  threatening  looks,  created  more  thaa  mere  suspi- 
cion— a  ceitaiiity  of  evil  design — and  deeply  did  Mr.  ITeywood  de[>lore 
the  folly  of  Ephraim  Giles  iu  failing  to  apprise  him  of  his  meeting  with 
these  pe<»ple,  at  tiie  earliest  moment  after  his  return.  Had  he  done  so,  there 
might  liave  been  a  chance,  nay,  every  assurance  of  relief,  for  he  knew  that 
a  party  from  the  fort,  consisting  of  a  non-commissioned  officer  and  six  men, 
wwe  even  now  tishing  not  more  than  two  miles  h'gher  up  the  river.  H« 
was  aware  that  the  boy,  "WiltDii,  was  an  excellent  runner,  and  tliat  witliin 
an  hour,  at  Icjist,  he  couKl  have  reached  and  brought  down  that  party,  who, 
ari  was  their  wont,  when  a  )seiiting  tllelliselve^  oi:  thi.i»e  tishing  excursions, 


10 


nAnix'c  !:Ar,ELi: ;   or,  the  fall  of  Chicago. 


were  provided  with  their  arms.  However,  it  might  uot  yet  be  too  late,  am 
he  determined  to  make  the  attempt.  To  cull  and  speak  to  the  boy  aside, 
would,  he  was  well  aware,  exciie  tlie  suspicions  of  his  unwelcome  guesUJ, 
while  it  was  possible  that,  as  they  did  not  understand  English,  (so  at  least 
he  took  it  for  granted)  a  comiHunication  made  to  him  boldly  in  their  pre* 
Bonce,  would  be  construed  into  some  domestic  order. 

"  Wilton,"  he  said  calmly  to  the  boy,  who  stood  near  the  doorway  with 
alarm  visibly  dejiiced  on  his  oouutenance,  and  Icoking  as  if  he  woul4 
tagerly  net/e  a  favorable  opportunity  of  escape,  *^  make  all  haste  to  the  Gsh* 
ing  party,  and  tell  Oorfwral  Nixon  who  commands  it,  to  lose  no  time  in  pull- 
ing down  tlio  stream.  You  will  come  back  with  them.  Quick,  lose  not  • 
moment." 

Delighted  at  the  order,  the  boy  made  no  answer,  but  hatless — shoeless  u 
ho  was,  disappeared  round  the  corner  of  the  house.  Strange  to  say,  the 
Indians,  although  they  had  seemingly  listened  with  attention  to  Mr.  lley- 
wood  while  issuing  these  directions,  did  not  make  the  slightest  movement  to 
arrest  tlie  deparnn-e  of  the  boy,  or  even  to  remark  upon  it — merely  turning  to 
their  cliief,  who  uttered  a  sliarp  and  satisfied  "  ugh." 

During  all  this  time,  Mr.  lleywood  and  Lo  Noir  stood  at  some  little 
distance  from  the  Indians,  and  nearly  on  the  spot  they  had  occupied  at  their 
entrance,  the  one  holding  ids  rifle,  the  other  his  duck-gun,  the  butts  of  both 
resting  on  the  floor.  At  each  moment  their  anxiety  increased,  and  it  seemed 
an  age  before  the  succor  they  had  sent  for  could  arrive.  How  long,  more- 
over, wotdd  these  taciturn  and  forhi(lding-mannered  savages  wait  before 
they  gave  some  indication  of  overt  hostility,  and  even  if  nothing  were  done 
prior  to  the  arrival  of  the  fishing  party,  would  these  latter  be  in  sufficient 
force  to  awe  them  into  a  pacific  departure?  The  Indians  were  twelve  in 
number,  exclusive  of  their  chief,  all  fierce  and  determined.  They,  with  the 
Buldiers,  nine ;  for  neither  Mr.  Hey  wood  nor  Le  Noir  seemed  disposed  to 
count  upon  any  efticient  aid  fntm  Ephraim  Giles,  who,  during  this  dumb 
ecene,  continued  whittling  before  the  Indians,  apparently  as  cool  and  indiffer- 
ent to  their  presence,  as  if  he  iiad  conceived  them  to  be  the  most  peaceably 
disposed  persons  in  the  world.  He  had,  however,  listened  attentively  to  the 
order  given  to  Wilton  by  his  master,  and  had  not  failed  to  remark  that  the 
Indians  had  nut,  in  any  way,  attemi)ted  to  impede  his  departure. 

"  What  do  you  think  of  these  people,  Le  Noir,"  at  length  asked  Mr.  Hey- 
wood,  without,  however  removing  his  gaze  from  bis  visitors.  ''Can  they  b« 
friendly  Potiawuttaniies ?" 

'"Friendly  Pottawattamies!  no,  sare,"  returned  the  Canadian  seriously, 
and  shruifjjing  ui.'  his  shoulders.     "  Dey  no  dress,  no  paint  like  de  Pottawat 


i7ARnf<cnAimLE  ;  or,  thk  fall  op  ciiicaoo. 


11 


little 


tamie,  and  I  not  like  der  black  look— no,  sare,  (ley  Winnebngo." 

Uo  laid  i\  stroiii,'  enipliiisis  on  the  last  word,  and  as  he  expected,  a  jjoncrd 
"ugii"  among  the  |>arty  attested  that  he  had  correctly  named  tlu'ir 
tribe. 

While  they  were  thus  expressing  their  conjectnres  in  regard  to  ilie  char- 
acter and  iiiteiitiuns  of  their  guests,  a:..!  inwardly  determining  to  sell  their 
lives  as  dearly  as  possible  if  attacked.  Ei)hraiin  Gile?  hud  risen  from  liis 
seat  in  the  corner  of  the  chimney,  and  with  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  stick  he 
was  whittling,  walked  coolly  out  of  the  door,  and  sauntered  down  tlie  path- 
way leading  to  tlie  river.  Hut  if  he  had  calculated  on  the  saine  indifference 
to  his  actions  tliat  the  Indians  had  manifested  towards  the  hoy,  he  was  mis- 
taken. TJK'y  all  watched  him  keenly  as  he  slowly  sauntend  towards  the 
water,  and  ihen,  wiien  he  had  got  about  half  way,  the  cliiof  suddenly  spring- 
ing to  his  feer,  and  brandishing  his  tomahawk  demanded  in  broken,  but  i)€r- 
f*ictly  intelligible  English,  where  he  was  going. 

*' Well.  I  want  to  know,"  exclaimed  the  soldier,  turning  ronnd,  and  iu  a 
tone  iiidlca  ing  surprise  .•lat  lie  hud  thus  been  questioned — "only  goin  t)Tei 
thar,"  he  eoutinui'd,  poiiuing  to  the  liaystacks  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river,  around  which  stond  many  cattle,"  fi>>\n  I  guess  to  give  out  some  grut 
to  the  beasts,  !ind  I'll  be  back  in  no  time,  t«)  give  you  out  some  whisky." 
Then,  resuming  his  course,  he  went  on  whittling  as  unconcernedly  at 
before. 

The  chief  tiwrn-d  to  his  followers,  and  alow,  yet  eager  conversation  ensued. 
Whether  it  wa^  that  tlie  seeming  inditTerence  of  the  man,  or  his  piomise  of 
tlie  whisky  on  hi-  return,  or  ttiat  souje  other  nio'ive  influenced  them,  they 
Contented  tliemselves  with  keeping  a  vigilant  watch  tipoii  his  movements. 

Mr.  lleywood  and  the  Frenchman  exchanged  looks  of  surprise;  tliey  could 
not  account  for  the  aciion  of  Epiiraim  CJiles,  for  although  it  was  his  oflico 
to  crosh  the  river  daily  for  the  purpose  ho  had  named,  it  had  never  been  at 
that  i»eii.'d  of  the  day.  How  the  Indians  could  suffer  his  departure,  if  tlieir 
intentions  were  really  hostile,  it  was  moreover  inipos-il>lo  for  them  to  com- 
prehend ;  and  in  proportion  as  the  hopes  of  the  one  were  raised  by  this 
circum>tance,  so  were  those  of  the  oiher  depressed. 

Mr.  lleywood  began  to  think  tliat  the  suspicions  of  the  Canadian  were 
onfounded,  and  thar  their  guests  were,  after  all,  iuit  a  party  of  warriors  on 
their  way  to  the  Fort,  either  for  purposes  of  traflic  with  the  oidy  merchant 
residing  in  its  vicinity,  or  of  business  witli  rhe  officer  coinjuanding.  It  was 
not  likely,  he  reasoned,  that  meti  coniitig  with  hostile  designs,  would  have 
6uf»ertd  fir-t  the  tioy  to  be  dospatched  on  a  mission  which,  oh-ciirely  as  he 
?»ad  worded  his  directions,  must  in  some  measure  have  been  nnderst'.od  by  the 


:m 


wmi 


n  HAKDB  nABBLE  ;  OK,  THE  FALL  OF  CCICAGO. 

chief;  and,  secondly,  permitted  Eplirairii  Giles  to  leave  the  h(iuse  in  the 
manner  just  seen — particularly  wliPn  ihe  suspicion  entertained  by  him  aa 
well  as  by  Le  Noir  and  himself,  must  liave  been  apparent. 

But  the  Canadian  drew  no  such  inference  from  these  facts.  Although  he 
could  not  speak  the  Wifnnebago  language,  he  was  too  conversant  with  the 
customs  of  the  Indians,  to  perceive,  in  what  they  permitted  in  this  seeming 
confidence,  anything  but  guile.  He  felt  assured  they  had  allowed  the  boy 
to  depart  on  his  errand  solely  that  they  might  have  a  greater  number  of  vic- 
tims in  their  power.  Nothing  was  more  easy,  numerous  aa  they  were,  than 
to  despatch  them^  and  then,  lying  in  ambush  among  the  trees  that  skirted 
the  banks,  to  shoot  down  evei'y  one  in  the  fishing  boat  before  a  landingcould 
be  effected,  and  preparations  made  for  defence;  while,  in  the  indifference  of 
t-heir  conduct  in  regard  to  the  departure  of  Ephraim  Giles,  he  saw  but  a 
design  to  disarm  suspicion,  and  thus  induce  them  to  lay  by  tlieir  arms,  the 
reports  of  which  would  necessarily  alarm  the  party  expected,  and  so  far  put 
them  on  theii  guard  as  to  defeat  their  plans.  The  very  a[)peftrance  of  Giles, 
moreover,  cros-sing  the  watw,  if  seen  by  the  descending  boat  would,  he 
thought  they  imagined,  be  a  means  ol  lulling  the  party  into  security,  and 
thus  rendering  tliein  a  more  easy  prey. 

While  the  master  and  the  servant  were  thus  indulging  their  opposite 
reflections,  without,  however,  making  any  intercommunication  of  them, 
Ephraim  Giles,  who  had  now  thrust  his  knife  and  stick  into  the  pocket  Df 
hk  short  skirt,  shoted  ott'  the  only  canoe  that  was  to  be  seen,  and  stepping 
Into  ir.  and  seizitiif  the  pmldle,  urged  it  slowly,  and  without  the  slightcel 
appearance  of  hurry,  to  the  opposite  bank,  where,  within  less  than  ten 
minutes,  he  lad  again  hauled  it  up.  Tlien,  as  cooly  ascending  the  bank,  he 
approat'lied  one  of  the  haystacks,  and  drew  from  it  a  few  handfuls  of  fodder 
which  he  spread  upon  the  ground,  continuing  to  do  so,  as  the  cattle  assembled 
around,  until  he  had  gained  the  outermost  haystack  bordering  immediately 
n\>on  the  wood.  Tliis  reached,  he  gave  a  loud  yell,  which  was  promptly 
answered  by  the  Indians,  who  had  continued  to  watch  his  movements  up  to 
the  very  moment  of  his  disajjpearance ;  and  darting  along  a  narrow  path 
which  skirted  the  woo<l,  ran  wiih  all  his  speed  towards  the  Fort.  His  flight 
had  not  'asted  five  niinutes,  when  the  reports  of  several  guns,  fired  from  the 
direction  he  had  just  quitted,  met  his  ear,  and  urged  him  to  even  greater 
exertion,  until  at  length,  haggard  and  breathless,  he  gained  his  destination, 
and  made  liis  way  to  the  commanding  officer,  to  whom  he  briefly  detailed 
the  startling  occurrences  he  had  witnessed. 


J\ 


I 


irAiir^cu.ujBLi: ;  or.,  t^il:  fall  Or  Chicago. 


1^1 


CHAPTER    11 


TnB  Fort  of  Chicago,  at  tlmt  i)erio(l,  stood  npnn  ft  purtion  of  tlio  same 
ground  occupied  by  its  succcKsor,  and  wa.",  in  fact,  a  very  fpitfino  of  a 
fortivss.  On  the  western  side,  two  block-lioiisea  constituted  its  chief  ditcnce 
while  on  the  north,  a  subterranean  passage  led  from  the  i)arji(lo-gi(>tinil  ta 
tlie  liver,  near  the  banks  of  which  it  had  been  erected.  The  uses  of  thia 
p.'dly  port  were  two-fold — firstly,  to  atlord  the  garrison  a  supply  of  water  in 
the  event  of  a  hiege  —  secondly,  to  fiicilitate  escape,  if  necessary.  Tha 
country  around,  now  tlie  ^eat  of  fiuitftdness  and  industry,  wju*  at  tliat  time  a 
wilderness,  tenanted  only  by  the  savage,  and  by  the  few  dating  and  adven- 
turous wliites  who  had  devoted  tiieir  liven  to  purposes  of  triilhc,  yet  whose 
nuMibers  was  so  smnll  as  to  induce  them,  with  a  view  to  their  safety,  to 
estahlisli  themselves  as  near  the  Fort  as  possible.  Roads,  theie  were  none, 
and  tlie  half  formed  trail  of  the  Indian  furnished  the  only  means  of  fommu- 
nic.ition  between  thift  distatit  port,  and  the  less  thinly-settled  portions  of 
MicliifTan.  Nor  were  these  journeys  of  frequent  occurrence,  but  [)eifoiuied 
at  long  iiit(  rvals,  by  the  enterprising  and  the  robust  men — who  fe.ired  not 
to  encounter  privations  and  hardships — encami)ing  at  night  in  the  wood^, 
or  finding  a  less  desirable  repose  in  the  squalid  wigwam  of  the  uncertain 
In<lian. 

The  month  of  the  Chicago  River  was  then  nenrly  half  a  mile  more  to  the 
eouthward  ijian  it  is  now.  At  a  short  distance  from  the  lake,  whieh  give* 
Its  name  to  the  territory,  it  soon  branched  otT  abruptly  to  the  north,  and 
then  again,  taking  another  turn,  pursued  its  original  westernly  course,  and, 
pas,-ing  near  the  Fort,  gave  to  the  latter  the  ai)peanince  of  a  sligiitly  elevated 
peninsula,  sefinrated  only  from  the  water  by  a  gentle  declivity  of  no  great 
eiient.  On  the  '^me  side  of  the  river  was  the  Gt>vernment  Agency  House, 
and  at  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  that,  a  spot  generally  used  as  a  plaM 
«f  encampment  l)y  the  friendly  Indians — at  that  moment  occupied  by  a 
numerous  baud  of  Pottawatiamiet*  Immediately  op])(>-ite  U'  ^'>«  !*''»'••■  ♦■♦ooi 
the  resnience  ana  tra(lingestal)iisliment  of  Mr.  Mackenzie — a  gentiernan  wic 
had  long  mixed  with  the  Indians — had  much  inlliionc  e  with,  and  was  higldy 
regarded  by  them;  and.  close  to  his  ai>ode,  lived  with  his  family,  roii>istiuj^ 
of  his  wife  and  iier  sister,  French  Canaflians  like  himself,  Ouihuette,  one  of 
the  most  attached  of  his  people,  and  enjoying  ahiost  equal  i)opidririty  with 
tlie  red  men.  About  a  quarter  of  a  mile  beyond  Ouilmettes,  and  iinine<li- 
ately  oi)posite  to  the  Pottawat'ainie  encampment,  from  which  it  was  divided 
omy  by  the  river,  was  another  small  but  neat  dwelling.  This  heh»nged  to 
Mr.  Heywood,  aiul  was  then  inhabited  by  his  wife  and  daughter,  whom  ha 
Would  not  permit  to  reside  at  the  farm,  as  w^ell  on  account  of  itt»  rudeneat 


M 


ir  m;!h(:;.vi;:;i  i: ;   on,  rni:  r\!.i,  ok  ciiic\oo. 


M 


of  accommodation,  as  of  the  dread  of  exposing  them,  in  that  remote  situation, 
to  the  very  danger  wiiich  we  have  seen  he  had  himself  so  recently  enooan* 
tered. 

Such  was  the  civilian  population  of  that  sparsely  inhabited  country  in 
1812,     Let  us  now  see  tlie  strength  of  its  ga^ison. 

For  the  defence  of  so  distant  an  outpo.^t,  almost  cnt  off,  as  we  have 
already  shown,  from  comrannication  witli  the  more  inhabited  portions  of  the 
States,  the  American  government  had  not  thought  it  requisite  to  provide 
more  than  a  single  company  of  soldiers,  a  force  utterly  inadequate  to  con- 
tend in  a  case  of  emergency,  with  the  hordes  of  savages  that  conld  be  col- 
lected around  them  within  a  few  hours,  and  weei^  before  any  efficient  suc- 
cor could  be  obtained.  This  error,  grave  at  any  time,  in  those  who  souglit 
to  extend  the  influence  of  their  name  and  arms  throughout  that  fertile 
region  which  has  now,  within  little  more  th;.n  a  quarter  of  a  century, 
become  the  very  head  of  American  commerce  and  navigation,  was  especially 
80  at  this  particular  epoch,  when  the  Indian  spirit,  stirred  to  action  by  the 
great  chief  who  had  so  recently  measured  his  strength  with  his  hated  ene- 
mies at  Tippjcanoe,  was  liliely  to  be  aroused  on  all  occasions  where  facility 
of  conquest  seemed  to  i)resent  itself.  And,  yet,  tliat  government  well  knew 
that  there  were,  even  at  that  moment,  difficulties  existing  between  them- 
selves and  Great  Britain  of  a  character  to  lead  to  an  interruption  of  the 
friendly  intercourse  that  had  hitherto  subsisted  between  the  two  countries, 
and  which,  if  sulFered  to  ripen  into  hostilities,  would  necessarily,  associate 
many  of  the  Indian  tribes  with  the  forces  of  Engl-and,  drawing  down  certain 
destruction  on  those  remoter  posts,  whose  chief  reliance  on  immunity  from 
danger,  lay,  in  a  great  degree,  in  the  array  of  strength  they  could  oppose  to 
their  subtle  and  calculating  enemy. 

This  company,  consisting,  of  seventy-five  men — many  of  them  married 
and  with  families — was  under  the  command  of  an  officer  v.'hose  conduct 
throughout  the  eventful  and  trying  scenes  about  to  be  recorded,  has  often 
been  the  subject  of  much  censure — with  what  justice  our  readers  must 
determine. 

Captair:  Headley  was  one  of  those  officers  who,  without  having  acquired 
no  greater  rank  at  the  age  of  forty  than  he  now  possessed,  had  served  in  the 
army  of  the  United  States  from  his  boyliood,  and  was,  in  all  the  minutisB  of 
the  service  ,  a  strict  disciplinarian.  He  had,  moreover,  acquired  habits  of 
deference  to  authority,  wliich  caused  him,  on  all  necessary  occasions,  to 
recnlate  bis  conduct  by  the  orders  of  his  ouperiors.  and  so  strongly  was  thii 
engrafted  on  bis  nature,  that  while  be  possessed  mind  and  energy  MutncitDi 
to  plan  the  most  feasible  measures  himself,  kis  dread  of  that  rospousibiUty 


iiAitPf-cuAiiuLi: ;   oi;,  tii::  iam,  of  <  kicaoo. 


13 


111  red 
in  the 
188  of 
ts  of 
ns,  to 
thia 
licit  ni 
ibility 


I 


which  clrcutnstjiiicc'x  had  now  forctMl  upun  hi  n,  induoed  the  utiu>"»st  (lisiijfn« 
nation  to  depiu't  tVoia  the  letter  of  an  instniotiou  once  rect-ivei!,  and  uum- 
voked. 

Tliese,  however,  ware  jnirely  faults  of  his  military  education.  Ta  a  com- 
manding person  and  uignitied  manners,  Captain  Ueadley  united  a  miad 
highly  cidtivated,  and  feelings  and  sentiments  which  could  not  fail  to  secure 
the  respect  oven  of  those  who  were  most  ready  to  condemn  that  ciution 
and  prudence  of  character  which  so  «ininently  distinguished  his  carter  as  a 
subordinate  soldier.  It  was  well  known  and  conceded  that,  if  he  erred, 
the  error  grow  not  so  much  out  of  his  own  want  of  judgment,  but  wa^ 
rather  the  fruit  of  the  too  great  deference  to  authority  which  led  him, 
implicitly,  to  adopt  the  judgment  of  others.  In  the  private  relations  «)f 
life,  he  was  deservedly  esteemed,  excelling  in  all  those  higher  accomplish 
ments  that  ensure  favor  with  society,  and  seldom  fail  to  win  for  their  poi- 
sessor  the  approbation  of  women.  Such,  indeed,  had  been  his  success  in  thia 
particular  apjdicarion  of  the  gifts  with  which  nature  had  endowed  him,  that 
he  had,  for  some  years,  been  the  possessor  of  the  aflfeotions  and  the  hand  of 
on«  of  tlie  noblest  of  her  sex,  whom,  however,  we  shall  take  a  later  opitor- 
tunity  of  introducing  to  the  reader. 

The  next  officer  in  rank  was  Lieutenant  Elmsley,  married  also,  and  about 
ten  years  the  junior  of  Headley.  From  causes,  which  will  be  explained  in 
the  course  of  our  narrative,  the  subaltern  did  not  incline  to  place  that  C(m- 
fidence  in  the  measures  and  judgment  of  his  captain,  which,  it  has  been 
shown,  the  latter  almost  invariably  accorded  to  his  superiors,  and  hence 
arose  feelings,  that,  without  absolutely  alienating  tliem — for,  in  their  rela- 
tive military  positions  this  could  never  be — rendered  their  intercourse  daily 
more  and  more  formal,  until,  in  the  end,  a  sentiment  ahnost  of  enmity  pre- 
vailed. In  a  remote  garrison  like  this  such  an  evil  was  the  more  to  be 
regretted,  even  while  there  was  the  greater  probability,  from  absence  of 
eerious  occupation,  of  its  occurrence. 

The  junior  subaltern  was  Ensign  Ronayno,  a  high-spirited  young  Souther- 
ner, who  had  now  been  three  years  at  the  post,  and  within  that  period,  had, 
by  his  frank  demeanor,  and  handsome  person,  won  the  regard  of  all — mili- 
tary and  civil — there  and  in  the  neighborhood.  Enterprising,  ardent, 
fearless,  and  chivalrous,  this  young  man  had  parsed  the  first  year  of  what  lie, 
then,  considered  little  short  of  banishment,  in.  a  restless  desire  for  advetitnie; 
but  at  the  end  of  that  period,  came  a  marked  change  over  him,  atid  tlia 
8i)irit  that  had  panted  exclusively  for  action,  now  bent  before  a  gentler  &ud 
a  holior  influence. 

Last  of  the  officers  of  this  little  fort,  was  the  surgeon.    Doctor  V^n  Vot 


^ 


!•; 


iiAimscuAiir.:.:' 


oil,  Tin:  r.'.:  i.  <  •/  c  :::vAao. 


tejiberg,  who  as  liis  Uiimu  would  imply,  was  a  dos-oendant  from  one  of  tht 
earlier  Dutcl  i^eltU'i-s  in  the  coKinies.  Tliei-e  was  lothing  reinarkablo  about 
this  genileiiiaii.  He  won  sliwrt,  stout,  rather  of  a  bilious  teinperament— 
clever  in  his  profeniiion,  and  inucli  addicted  to  coinpotnidiiifr  win  iky  panoh, 
whioli  he  not  only  brewed,  hut  drank  most  sutisfactoriiy.  Wliat  other  attrib- 
utes and  nccomplibhtnents  he  possessed,  the  incidents  herein  related  mutt 
develope. 

It  Las  been  said  that,  on  its  Western  s'le,  the  Fort  was  protected  by  tw« 
block-houses,  while  on  the  northern  a  sally  port  communicated  with  th« 
tower.  On  each  side  of  the  sally  port  were  two  small  stores,  reserved  for 
the  ammunition  and  arms,  and  for  the  provisions  and  spare  clothing  of  the 
garrison.  On  the  north  and  south  faces,  rose  a  series  of  small  low  wooden 
buildings,  appropriated  to  the  officers,  and  capable  of  containing  thrice  the 
number  now  occupying  them.  The  southern  face,  or  that  which  looks  to- 
wards the  locale  of  the  scene  described  in  our  last  chapter,  was  now  the  resi- 
dence of  the  commanding  officer,  and  of  his  senior  subordinate,  who,  with 
their  families  and  domestics,  tenanted  tiie  whole  of  that  r;ingo  of  buildings, 
with  the  exception  of  one  large  room  in  the  centre,  generally  used  aa  a  ha  I 
of  council  with  the  Indians.  In  the  other  range,  j^reci-ely  similar  in  con- 
el  ruction,  were  quartered  Ensign  Ronayno  and  the  surgeon  Von  Vcttenberg, 
who  each,  however  occupied  but  one  apartment.  The  central  and  largest 
serving  as  their  mess-room.  The  other  half  of  the  building  was  vacant,  or 
rather  had  been  so,  until  the  doctor  obtained  the  permiar^ion  of  the  command- 
ing officer  to  use  it  as  a  temporary  surgery — the  hospital  being  a  distinct 
edifice  between  the  two  block-houses.  These  latter,  capacious  for  the  size 
of  the  fort,  accommodated  the  non-commissioned  officers  and  men — the  com- 
pany being  divided  as  equally  as  possible  between  the  two. 

Without  the  whole  of  these  buildings  stood  a  strong  stockade,  about  twelve 
feet  high,  10v)p-holed  for  nmsquetry,  with  a  bastion  at  each  angle,  facing  the 
four  principal  points  of  the  compass,  on  each  of  whicfi  was  placed  a  small  gun, 
that  the  men  had  been  trained  to  work.  The  entrance  to  the  fort  was  from 
the  westward,  and  in  the  direction  of  the  agency  house,  which  two  of  these 
bastions  immediately  flanked. 

The  guard  consisted  of  a  non-commissioned  officer  and  nine  men — three 
sentries  being  furnished  for  the  necessary  duties — one  for  the  stores  already 
described — another  for  the  commanding  officer's  quarters — the  mess-room  and 
the  surgery,  and  the  third  for  the  southern  bastion,  upon  which  floated  the 
glorious  stars  and  stripes  of  the  Union.  A  fourth  sentry  at  the  gate  had  been 
dispensed  with,  in  consequence  of  the  proximity  to  It  of  the  guard-house. 
This  was  a  small  building  immediately  In  front  of  the  hospitalt  which*  witb 


U 


w 


n  zx^m:-{  r,;::.i:  ;   o      th.:  ia::.  cv  CAicxnr.. 


r 


Hie  gate,  come  [»«rficiiljirly  uink-r  lue  sniviill.iuce  of  tlio  uon-cominlsj»j(»ui-<J 
ortict-r    if  tiie  ii'U.ir.l. 

Willi  ilic  rlijii';»c  er  for  strict  ftttenUoii  to  discipline,  whicli  Uha  bt-en 
d-ciilre«l  to  CjiptJiin  Uiiidloy,  it  will  be  easily  understood  tliut  every  iii.in  oti 
dnty  was  expected  to  1)l'  as  correct  in  tlie  execution  of  its  details,  as  ilioiiith 
lie  had  been  at  the  lle.'id  Qiiiirters  of  liis  regiment,  or  at  the  Sent  -if 
(Jovermneut  ii.^elf.  The  utuiost  regard  to  dress,  iind  to  the  ctticiency  of 
arms  was  moreover  enjoined,  and  >^o  far  did  their  coniiiiander  feel  in»iis|.o~<-« 
to  trust  the  inspection  of  them  to  the  noii-conmii.-sioned  oftlcer  of  the  giinrd, 
that,  although  there  were  in  the  Fort,  but  two  regimentnl  officers  lie>-ides 
himself,  he  had,  from  the  moment  of  assuming  the  command,  required  them 
alternately  to  perform  the  neco8*Riy  duties;  superintending  the  relief  (»f 
guards,  and  paruding  all  men  off  duty  and  out  of  hospital,  in  full  dress,  at 
least  once  in  the  twenty-four  hours. 

At  the  '^utset,  this  had  been  a  source  of  mn«h  discontent  witli  the  men, 
•..ifciviiiu  that,  ir  that  remote  rfgioii.  'lie  riL-oi-  of  the  sf-rvioi-'  n:i|th* 
b«  dbpeused  with,  almost  openly  expressed  their  de-^ire  that  there  tniefit  0« 
■ent  to  command  them,  some  officer  less  severe  in  his  exaciions.  This  had 
been  reported  to  C.iptiiin  Ileadley  by  his  senior  subitltorn,  from  whose  mmner, 
while  coinmuuiciting  the  infcrmatiun,  ir,  was  apparent  that  lie  <iid  nui 
»\l'.olly  disajiprovo  of  a  remonstrance  against  measures  which  involved  the 
sacrifice  of  his  own  comfort.  His  superior  was  not  slow  to  reuiark  iliis,  l.".i, 
however,  quietly  observed  that  he  wa>  not,  at  his  years,  and  in  his  respon.^i- 
ble  po>ition,  to  be  told  the  duty  required  to  be  performed  by  the  iroojM 
under  his  command  ;  and  that,  if  he  perceived  any  symptoms  of  insubordina- 
tion, he  would  take  the  proper  Tueans  to  suppress  it.  The  lieutenriiit  nja.Ie 
no  reply,  but  bit  his  lip,  and  withdrew.  This  was  the  firsi  munife.-taiion  of 
any  thing  approaching  to  disunion,  between  these  two  officers. 

Lieutenant  Elinsley,  although  by  no  means  a  negligent  offic4?r,  was  no 
disciplin'.rian.  He  could  not  but  look  upon  formal  guard  mountings  nn«l 
parades,  in  that  isolated  quarter,  as  unnecessary — serving  only  t(.  cre.ite 
discontent  amongst  the  men,  and  to  induce  them — the  nnmarried  »'«pe<'i«!ly 
— to  desert,  wlienever  an  opportunity  presented  itself;  while,  bringing  the 
Bubject  more  immediately  hotne  to  himself,  he  deemed  it  to  be  a  ne-'dles-^ly 
severe  tax  upon  the  only  two  eubalterns  of  the  garrison.  This,  he  thought 
might,  situated  as  they  were,  I  hvo  been  dispensed  with,  without  the  slightest 
inconvenience  to  the  service;  and  the  duty  left  to  the  superintendence  of 
the  nou-comuiissiuued  part  of  the  force,  lience  bit*  annoyance  with  ins 
superior. 

But  Captain  Headl«y  was  of  a  different  opinion.    He  thouijbt  that  the 


Si 


18 


It  \i:n-<!:.\T',i-.:, 


(>:,  t:'  :  i"  \i.:.  <•'  (  "y   en. 


?     ! 


.. 


i 


very  reniotcnoHe  of  his  ji"^!,  ri  iid-  r.  (1  it  •!;»•  iiin-t'  iH-ics^n-y  '.la;  no  rii'jifrif 
aiice  of  c;u elc'ssnc'ps  should  be  roiiKirk'd  \i\  \]\r  trilic-  r)t'  Indiai.s  wIjo  \v.  re  in 
the  vicinity,  and  wliu,  howtver  uMnc^jhlr  .Iifir  .•■*•.. iMwh^  f/ic>t  \\\:'u  tl.o  l':;;'-''! 
Sirtteti,  might  later,  iroiii  caprice  '>r  ev..-  I's  \vt   iiiitur.ser!i,  icivu  ativa:ifi.,e 
of  tiie  sliglitest  iie^iigcDce,  to  aileiiip:  I't  '.  dotnicnoii  of  uii. 

Better,  lie  thonglit,  that  they  who  r^  fiived  tlie  pay  of  the  Govf'rnineiir, 
for  upholding  its  inierests  ami  (lignite,  ^hojjd  be  siiljeot  to  a  Ireipieiit 
recurrence  of  duty — not  in  itself  panic' 'ir!j  iik.soine — ili.-m  that  ;iii  iiiiiior- 
lant  post — the  nucleus  of  the  future  ;  fo.-ti>eriry  of  the  Stiie — Hhnuld  ho 
perilled  by  the  absence  of  that  vigilaiio  which  ouglit  to  ch;ir;icto"ize  the 
soldier,  h  he  allowed  to  be  retrenched,  or  indeed  left  iincini'loyiMl,  any  if 
liiat  military  exhibition,  which  tends  to  impress  upon  the  many  the  mur.d 
byperiority  of  the  few,  where,  ho  nrgueil,  would  be  their  safety  in  the  hour 
of  ueed  ;  and  if  those  duties  were  per'.orined  in  a  slovenly  manner,  and 
without  due  regard  to  sce/^ic  ett'ect,  the  re.-ult  would  be  to  indue-,'  the  wilv 
savage  to  undervalue  that  su|ieriority  vvliich  (li>:cipiine  chitlly  secured  to  tlie 
while  warrior.  Captain  Ileadley  was  discriminatiiiix  and  observant.  Ilo 
had,  more  tlian  once,  remarked  the  surpiise  and  adnuiation  cfeated  aino;ig 
the  Indians  wiio  had  acee^s  vvilhiu  th';  siuokatle,  ui  liie  promptness  and 
regulju'ity  of  the  system  introduied  ii  i';  it,  and  this,  of  itself,  was  a  snlli- 
cient  motive  to  cau^e  him  to  persevere  in  :  le  cou:':-e  his  judirnieiit  had  ailopied 

Such  was  tiie  condition  of  afi'ai.s  at  he  moinem  when  EiduMini  (iiie.* 
breathless  willi  s[)ee'l,  ;Mid  fancying  the  ;  si'iy  ol'  Wiunel'aiioes  oio.-e  upi.n  Inn 
h«elsj  made  his  entry  into  the  Fort.  Tbo  iie  .vs  lie  inouy;)  i  \\i\^  of  a  narura 
to  assemble  the  otticers,  as  well  as  mati_\  »f  the  men  and  women,  all  anxiooj 
to  hear  the  details  of  an  occurrence,  whi'  h  now,  tor  the  fli'>t  tinie  since  tiieit 
arrival  at  the  Fort,  had  created  serious  ain-reliension.  Hut  there  was  one 
of  the  party  who  manifested  more  than  t)rdinary  nueJi-^iness.  His  impati- 
ence was  great,  and,  after  having  Avh  "-{.ered  a  lew  v.dnls  in  the  ear  of 
Captain  Headley,  and  received  an  affirii.,"tive  reply,  coupled  wiih  an  injunc- 
tion of  caution,  he  let't  the  building  i.i  haste,  and  in-oeeedid  towards  thtj 
block-houses,  where,  selecting  half  a  do/.en  men,  and  ordering  them  to  arm 
on  the  instant,  he  passed  with  them  through  the  gate — s[>i'aMg  into  a  lartre 
scow  which  was  unchained  tVom  its  moi. rings,  tm  the  bank  of  the  river,  and 
pulled  in  the  direction  (»f  the  house  aire  .ly  said  to  have  been  occui)ied  by 
the  wife  and  daughter  of  Mr.  I  ley  wood 

Meanwhile,  Captain  Ileadley  closely  s.irerrogated  the  fuglrive  as  to  the 
nundter  and  appearance  of  the  Indians  whi)  had  created  all  this  alarm,  their 
probable  object  in  visiting  the  farm  in  this  seemingly  ho-tile  manner,  and 
the  number  of  slujts  he  had  heard  fired.  To  all  these  questions  the  soldier, 
who  had  now,  in  some  degree,  recovered  from  his  panic,  rei)lied  in  tiie  usual 


■'  "I  I  •  ■" 
()  \v.  If  ii; 

!..^  1':;;:.m1 

iiivu;ii'!.,e 

trctiii-.'iit 
111  iniitiT- 

torize  tliu 
■(],  any  "f 
the   iiiol';d 

I  the  li"'!r 
niier,  aiul 

the  ^vilv 
ired  ti)  tho 
vaiit.  Ho 
ed  ftMumg 
)tiiL'Ss  and 
,-a3  a  sutVi- 
d  adi>pi<HL 

.liiil  (xiieA 
e  il[M.;i  \i'\i 
if  a  mtiiro 
ill  anxiotu 

since  t'ncit 
c  was  Olio 
lis  iiiij>ati- 
(he  e;ir  of 

an  iiijiinc- 
) wards  tli«i 
jin  to  anil 
ito  a  lai'ire 
'  river,  nnd 
ecu  pied  by 

as  to  tlie 
larn),  their 
laiiiier,  aud 
the  soldier, 

II  ttie  usual 


iiAi;n:-(  r.A!;r.:.K  ;   o;:,  tuv.  jam,  ok  cniCAoo. 


19 


drawling  tone,  liis  stiek  and  knife,  wliicli  had  been  drawn  forth  again  ft*oin 
his  iKJckel,  ill  which  lie  iind  de[)usited  tliern  in  crossing  from  the  larm-house, 
Btiording  him  his  usual  amusement,  but  nothing,  of  course,  was  elicited 
beyond  wha';  has  already  been  related.  Whether  any  one  had  been  killed  in 
tlie  house,  or  the  guns  merely  discharged  to  frighten  the  fugitive,  or  that  the 
reports  had  proceeded  from  liie  fishing  party  that  had  been  sent  for,  with  a 
view  to  alarm  the  Indiana,  and  deter  them  from  the  commission  of  outrage, 
were  surmises  that  severally  occurred  to  Captain  Headley,  but  without  eua- 
bhng  him  to  arrive  at  any  detinite  opinion.  That  there  was  cause  for 
apprehension,  there  was  no  doubt.  Tlie  apiiearance  of  a  band  of  Strang* 
Indians  in  the  neigliborhood,  liowever  small  in  number,  dressed  in  their 
war-paint,  gave  earnest  of  coming  trouble,  not  only  through  their  own  acts, 
but  through  tiie  influence  of  example  on  the  many  other  tribes  whom  they 
had  been  accustomed  to  look  upon  as  friends  and  allies.  In  the  midst  of 
these  reflections  arose  a  feeling  of  self-gratulation  than  he  had  preserved  that 
discipline  and  strict  attention  to  duty,  which,  he  knew,  that  all  must  now 
admit  to  have  been  correct,  and  which,  if  any  difficulty  did  occur,  oould  not 
fail  to  prove  of  the  utmost  importance. 

His  first  consideration  now  was  the  safety  of  the  small  fishing  party,  to 
which  allusion  has  more  than  once  been  made  in  the  preceding  pages,  and 
which  it  was  a  source  of  satisfaction  to  him  to  recollect  were,  in  accordance 
with  an  order  never  departed  from  on  these  and  similar  excursions,  fur- 
nished with  the  necessary  arms  and  ammunition,  although  only  iu  their 
fatigue  dress. 

"  Mr.  Elmsley,"  he  said  turning  to  that  officer,  who  stood  waiting  his 
orders,  ''  who  commands  the  tishing  party?" 

"Ooiporal  Nixon,  sir,"  replied  the  lieatenant,  at  once  entering  into  his 
motive  for  the  inquiry,  "  a  brave,  but  discreet  soldier,  and  one  who,  I  am 
sure,  will  evince  all  necessary  resolution,  should  he  see  anything  of  these 
Indians.  The  men  who  are  with  him  are  also  fine  ycuug  fellows,  and 
uoi>ni:  our  best  shots." 

•*I  am  glad  to  hear  this,"  was  the  rejoinder,  "but  still,  twelve  Indians  fir. 
ing  from  the  woods  upon  iialf  their  number  in  an  open  boat,  and  takt-n  by 
surprise,  would,  I  fear,  render  tlie  activity,  courage,  and  skill  of  these  lat- 
ter but  of  little  avail.  My  hope  is,  that  Corporal  Nixon  may  see  nothing  of 
them,  but  that,  on  the  contrary,  if  he  has  been  apprised  by  the  boy,  as  the 
fellow  says  he  was  to  be,  of  their  presence  at  Uey wood's  farm,  he  will  make 
his  way  back  without  stofiijing,  or  at  least,  use  every  precaution  to  conceal 
himself,  until  he  can  drop  down  under  cover  of  the  darkness." 

*'  What,  sir,"  said  the  I'.eutenant,  with  a  surprise  he  could  ill  conoeal. 


so 


nAiio;'cnArr.i.r. ;   ot*.  tii::  falt.  <>•.'  ti'.icxoa. 


"  Would  you  tleslro  him  not  to  (itT'i-il  tlie  iie(5t;.s-.;ii-\  sucror  ',u  Mr.  Ileywood, 
ir',  iii(l«cii,  lie  sliMiild  lie  in  lime  to  it'iiil«  v  any  -itv  kh- ?" 

*'  Mr.  Eliii>ley,"  rem;irki'(l  liis  caplnip.  M.;m'wli;;t  M.-nily,  "  my  syinpaihy 
for  the  fate  of  tho.-o  tit.  iho  lai'in,  i.-,  pel  api  ipiile  as  sir>iiiir  >l>  yinir.*,  hiil  1 
hjive  a  higher  slake  at  is^ue — n  higher  t  jt-et  than  tiie  inJiii^'wnce  of  persti.niU 
rtsinpathy.  I  can  ill  afTord,  threatt'uinii  -  ui»peararice'  are  at  this  nioniont, 
tt»  rit*k  the  lives  of  six  men,  the  best  yoti  say  in  the  fort,  out  of  the  very 
Hiuall  force  at  my  disposal.  Nothing  !i  nst  he  left  undone  to  secure  tlieie 
Httfety.  Order  a  gun  to  be  fired  immediately  from  the  southern  bastion.  It 
will  be  distinctly  heard  by  the  party,  ar.d  if  not  already  appri>edof  the  e>:ii»t- 
iug  danger  they  will  at  once  understaiid  the  signal.  Moreover  the  report 
may  have  the  etiect  of  alarming  the  saviU'es." 

Lieutenant  Elmsley  withdrew  to  execrle  the  order,  and  soon  after  the  dull 
booming  of  a  cannon  was  heard  re verl)f. rating  throughout  the  surrounding 
woods,  and  winding  its  echoes  along  th»-  waters  of  the  narrow  and  tranquil 
Chicago.  So  unusual  an  event  as  this  excited  a  good  deal  of  speculation, 
not  only  among  the  inmates  of  the  Fort,  but  among  the  nmuerous  friendly 
Indians  encamped  without,  who,  wholly-  unacqnninred  with  the  cause  of  the 
alarm,  were,  by  the  t^trict  orders  of  Ca| '.ain  lleadley,  kept  ignorant  of  tlte 
intVtrmation  of  which  Ephraim  Gile;<  had  heen  the  bearer — 

That  night  there  was  a  more  than  usiinl  vigilance  exercised  by  the  senti- 
nels, and  although  the  rest  of  the  garri-ori  were  exempt  from  extraordini^ry 
duty,  the  watchful  aud  anxious  counna-iding  otiicer  slept  not  until  dawn. 


CHAPTER  III. 

At  a  disfanco  of  about  two  miles  above  Hey  wood's  farm,  and  on  the  soutli- 
ern  branch  of  the  Chicago,  which  winds  its  slightly  serpentine  course 
between  the  wood  and  the  prairie.  There  was  at  the  period  of  which  w« 
treat,  a  small  deep  bay  formed  by  two  adjacent  and  densely"wooded  points 
of  and,  in  the  cool  shades  of  which  the  :>ikfe,  the  black  bass,  and  the  pick- 
erel loved  to  lie  in  the  heat  of  summer,  and  where,  in  early  spring,  though  ic 
less  numbers,  they  were  v;ont  to  congrei;ute.  This  was  the  customary  fishing 
spot  of  the  garrison — six  men  and  a  non  roramissioued  officer,  repairing  there 
%lmost  daily,  with  their  ample  store  of  lines  and  spears,  as  much,  although 
not  avowedly,  for  their  own  ainnsem^nt,  as  for  the  supply  of  tlie  ottioer'i 
taAAt.    W)iAt  remained,  after  a  certain  division  among  these,  b«c«me  t>* 


;? 


Hi 


HABDSCRABBLC  ;    OR,   THE  FALL  OK  CHICAOO. 


81 


ley  vvcxmI, 

*yiii|^rtiliy 
ir.4,  Ijiii  1 

niuiiioiit, 
llio  very 
3urfc  theic 
aiion.  It 
the  e>:ii»t- 
,he  report 

r  tliediill 
irouiHliiig 
i  tranquil 
ecnlatioii, 
3  frieiiJiy 
86  (»f  the 
lit  uf  tite 

the  senti- 
ftordin^ry 
il  duwu. 


the  smitlj- 
ne  course 
wliich  we 
ed  poitiia 
the  pick- 
though  it 
iry  fisliini; 
n\i>^  there 
I  although 
e  officer's 
c«aie  t*' 


ml 


property  of  th©  captor-*,  \tlio,  fift'^r  ai)i)ro|)n.'iiiti;^  to  thomstjlvoA  what  WjH 
necesj^ary  for  their  next  day's  int..  ,  disnihutid  tlu-  ifst.  niimiij;  the  non-oom* 
missioned,  and  men  of"the  c 'iiipiipy.  As  t!ie  sc-.-ismi  jidv.iiiccd,  and  the  bnh 
becarno  more  plenty,  there  was  1'  ;le  limitati  >n  of  quantity,  for  the  frei^lit, 
nightly  brought  home,  and  tako.^  with  tlie  line  and  speiir  alone,  was  siiUh- 
cient  to  atibrd  every  one  abiindu..ce.  In  truth,  even  in  tin;  d- pth  of  winter, 
there  was  little  privation  enlin't.('  by  the  garrison — the  fat  venison  hroii^ht  in 
and  sold  t\)r  tlie  veriest  tritle  by  the  Indians — iheln-ciou.s  and  ample  praiiie 
ben,  chiefly  ehot  by  the  officer.',  and  the  Huh  we  Imvo  named,  leaving  no 
necessity  for  cousumpiion  of  the  ault  loi>d  with  which  it  was  buLindilfereutly 
stored. 

On  the  day  on  which  our  narrr.tive  lias  commenced,  the  usual  fishing  parly 
had  ascended  the  river  at  an  ear  y  hour,  for  the  newness  of  the  season  and 
the  shortness  of  the  days  rendered  it  an  object  tiiut  tliey  should  be  on  the 
accustomed  haunt  as  soon  as  possible.  They  had  left  the  Fort  at  daylight, 
pas>ing  Ileywood's  farm  at  the  moment  when,  for  the  purpose  of  foddering 
the  cattle  on  the  opposite  bank,  he,  with  the  boy  Wilton,  was  crossing  in  the 
very  canoe  in  which  Ei)hraim  GiU-s  afterwards  made  his  escape — the  latter 
with  the  Canadian,  being  engaged  in  felling  trees  higher  up  the  river. 

Arrived  at  the  little  bay  to  wl  ich  we  have  just  adverted,  the  boat  was 
fastened  to  the  gnarled  trunk  of  a  tree,  which  projected  over  the  deep  water 
at  the  nearest  point,  and  the  i>arty,  taking  with  them  their  fishing  rods,  baits, 
and  haversacks,  but  leaving  their  ipears  and  muskets  in  the  boat,  disperse<l 
thenistlves  at  short  distances  ah  i  g  the  curve  that  formed  the  bay,  which, 
however,  was  not  more  than  thr;.^  hundred  yards  in  extent,  from  point  to 
point. 

Wlien  they  first  cast  their  lines  into  the  water,  the  sun's  rays  were  clearly 
visible  tlirough  the  thick  wood  in  their  rear.  The  early  morning,  t<»o,  had 
been  cold — almost  frosty — so  niuch  so,  tliat  the  wild'diicks,  which  gonorally 
evinced  a  good  deal  of  shyness,  noiD^  seemingly  emboldc-ned  by  the  brskitiesn 
of  the  atmosphere,  could  be  seen  gliding  about  in  considerable  numbers, 
about  half  a  mile  below  them  ;  while  the  fish,  oii  the  contrary,  as  though 
dissatisfied  with  the  temperature  of  their  element,  refused  to  do  what  the 
men  called  "the  amiable,"  by  aj  proaching  the  hook.  Tlieir  occupation  had 
been  continued  until  long  past  iiid-day,  during  which  time  not  more  than  a 
dozen  fish  hail  been  taken.  Ve.td  at  iiis  ill  luck,  f  r  he  hud  not  had  even  a 
nibble,  one  of  the  men  flung  his  mkI  u[)on  the  bnnk,  iihiintie:iti\,  and  theri, 
6e;itii;g  himself  on  the  ])rojectiir:  root  of  a  I.m  ^v  \i\<\  (]irl,,ii(]  it  was  all 
r.<Mi,-ehse  lo  phiv  flie  fool  any  !o!  li  r.  aiitl  tluit  iSe  iro.-t  seii.-ible  thing  they 
eoidtl  d<»,  wiis  to  lake  their  dinner.-,    -siiinke  their  pipes— iim!  wn^l  the  whole 


i 


I   ' 


i 


22 


HARDBCTIABBLE  ;    OR,  THE   KAI,I-  OF  CHIC  AGO, 


down  with  a  little  of  the  tnonnngAhela. 

"  I  pay,  Collins,"  remarked  tlie  corpornl,  pood-natnrcdly,  "  we  shall  hart 
poor  faro  for  t\\v  officers'  mees,  let  alono  o»ir  own,  if  we  all  follow  your 
example,  and  give  up  so  soun.  But,  as  you  say,  it's  titne  to  have  some  grub, 
ftod  we'll  try  our  luck  afterwards." 

"  Rome  wa>n't  built  in  a  day,"  said  the  man  wlio  had  heen  fishing  Lext  to 
CoUina,  and  drawing  in  his  line  also,  "  we've  a  good  many  hours  left  yet.'* 

ToUowinK  the  recommendation  of  the  corporal,  the  rest  of  the  party  Mi 
down  on  the  edge  of  the  bank,  and,  opening  their  haversacks,  produced  each 
his  allowance  of  corn  bread  and  venison,  or  salted  pork,  after  disfiatuhing 
which,  with  the  aid  of  their  clasp  knives,  they  took  a  refreshing  ''  horn  " 
from  the  general  canteen  that  Collins  canied  suspended  over  his  shoulder, 
and  then  drew  forth  and  lighted  their  pipes. 

As  the  latter  puifed  away  with  a  vigor  that  ]»roved  either  a  preoccupied 
mind,  or  extreme  gratification  with  the  weed,  lie  cast  his  eyes  cai-clessly  down 
the  stream,  where  a  larue  descri[>iion  of  duck,  called  by  the  French  natives 
of  the  country,  the  cou  rouge,  from  the  color  of  their  necks,  were  disporting 
themselves  as  though  nothing  in  the  shape  of  a  liie  arm  was  near  them — 
now  diving — now  rising  on  their  feet,  and  slinking  their  outstretclied  wings, 
now  chasing  each  other  in  limited  circles,  and  altoiicther  so  apparently 
emboldened  by  their  immunity  from  interruption,  as  to  come  close  to  the 
bank,  at  a  distance  of  little  more  than  fifty  yards  from  the  spot  where  he  sjit. 

"It's  very  ridicuh)us,"  he  at  length  remarked,  pouring  forth  at  tiie  same 
time,  an  unusual  volume  of  smoke,  and  watching  the  cut  ling  eddies  as  tliry 
rose  far  above  his  head — "  it's  very  ridiculous,  I  say,  the  captin's  order  that 
we  sha'nt  fire.  Look  at  them  ducks — how  they  seem  to  know  all  about 
it,  tool" 

"By  gosh!"  said  another,  "I've  a  good  notion  to  fetch  my  musket,  and 
have  a  slap  into  them.     Shall  I,  corporal  V 

"Certainly  not.  Green,"  was  the  answer.  "If  it  was  known  in  the  Fort 
I  had  permitted  any  of  the  party  to  fire,  I  should  be  broke,  if  I  dld'nt  got 
picketed  for  my  pains,  and  noue  of  us  would  ever  get  out  again." 

"No  great  harm  in  that,  either,"  said  the  man  who  had  made  the  novel 
observation  that  Rome  had  not  been  built  in  a  day. 

The  corporal  looked  sharply  at  the  last  speaker,  as  if  not  fully  compre- 
hending his  meaning. 

"Jackson  means  no  great  harm  if  we  never  got  out  again,"  interposed 
Collins,  "  and  I  think  as  he  does,  for  I  see  no  fun  in  rowing  four  or  five  miles 
to  fish,  and  scarcely  getting  a  sight  of  one." 

"  Well,  but  Collins,  that's  not  always  our  luck.  I'm  sure  we've  had  sport 
enough  before.    It  must  be  because  the  weather's  rather  cold  tu-doiy,  that 


I 


nAiiPMCitAT^ni.r ;  on,  the  tall  op  cnicAOO. 


t3 


the  fish  won't  bite." 

"It's  of  III)  tiso  liis  gniniblirv:^,  Pliili[)s,"  rei'ifirkod  Onrporal  Nixon, 
"  we're  lioro,  not  so  imic':  tor  ^  s-  i  sport  ii->  uii  n  dr.ty  fi>r  the  gurri.son.  Let 
me  hear  nu  inoie  of  this,  Collin.*. '■ 

"  Well,  ciirp  >i-;il  ili,it'»i  true  em.  ii,'li,"  saiil  Green,  "!>nt  dash  nie  if  it  isn't 
teiMpiiii'  t(»  see  tliem  f'cllo\f.s  tlieri  stoalii.'  upon  us,  and  wo  lookin'  or),  and 
doiu'  nothiu'." 

''  W'lat  fellows  do  you  niciu  ?'"  iiupiired  the  c*)rporal,  suddenly  starting  to 
bis  feel,  and  lookini;  down  tlie  river. 

'•  Why,  them  ducks  to  be  sure,  :.eo  how  they  coino  sailiu'  up  to  U3,  a3  if 
they  knowc'd  all  about  tl  e  ca[>tiuVs  order — no  juin[)in'  or  friakin'  now,  but 
all  oFa  heap  like.'" 

''Ye-,  hut  I  say,  what's  that  black  looking  thinj;  beyond  the  dacRsf* 
asked  oiR'  who  had  not  hitherto  ^T.(Jken,  pointing  his  finger. 

'' Wlieri',  win-re,  W'.-stoii  ?"  exc.'aiuied  one  or  two  voices,  art i  the  speftk* 
««  looki<l  iti  till-  directiiiii  iiulic<iti'd. 

"  Hang  luo  ii'  it  i.-^n't  a  hear,"'  f.iid  Collins  in  a  low,  anxious  tone^  that'i 
the  chap  that  h.i- sent  iho  duclc-  ;o  near  us.  Do  let  me  have  a  crack  at 
him,  eorporal.  '  k's  hir^je  enoni.-h  to  supply  us  all  with  fresh  meat  for 
three  da}  s,  luul  will  inuki.'  up  !(  r  the  bad  fl-hing.  Only  one  shy,  corporal| 
and  I  engage  not  to  lui^s  him." 

Sure  eiiougli,  there  was,  in  the  -Jentre  of  tlie  stream,  a  dark  object,  nearly 
half  a  nule  distant,  whieh  all  joi  im1  in  pronouncing  to  be  a  bear.  It  wm 
Bwinmiiiig  vigorously  across  to  J.i.ir  sido  of  tlie  river. 

''I  think  wc  luiglit  take  him  a-t  he  lands,"  observed  Green.  "  What  say 
you,  corporal ;  I  reckon  you'll  le'  as  try  t/iat^  if  you  won't  let  us  fire?" 

''Stay  all  wliere  you  are,"  w:  s  ttie  reply.  "I  can  manage  him  myself 
with  a  .-pear,  if  I  can  only  be  in  time  before  he  rea'ihes  the  shore.  If  not, 
it's  lio  matter,  for  1  won't  allow  a  trigger  to  be  pulleil." 

Corfioral  Nixon  was  a  tall,  active,  strong-limhod  Virginiau.  Ho  soon 
cleared  the  space  that  separateil  them  from  the  boar,  and  jumiiing  to  the 
stern,  seized  one  of  the  lishin::  >pe.irs,  and  t'nen  moved  on  through  the  wood 
tliat  densely  skirted  the  ba.ik.  13ut  he  had  iint  been  five  nunutes  g-^ne 
wiieii  he  again  made  his  a;ipe;'r  mce,  not  imme'liately  by  the  half-formed 
path  he  had  previously  taken,  bu:  by  a  sli^dit  detour  to  the  rear. 

"Hist,  hist,"  he  said  in  an  auo  hie  widsper,  as  soon  as  he  saw  that  he  waa 
{lerceived,  motioning  at  the  san.     time  with  his  hand  to  enjoin  silence,  and 
II,  heeivi'nir;.'    ;o    WoIkm    to  join    him.    he   a■,^■lin    moved 
1  .•;.d  of  nue  who  lears  to  aiai'in  an  object 


eoiicealment. 


ihe 


w: 


along  the  p; 

oucwii;.ci"U::*   if  inicirupaun 


.'•    ' 


84 


nXRDeCllABBLE  ;    OH,   THE  FALL  OP  CIIICA.aO. 


i   I 


All  liAd  tlie  Mnse  to  underdtnnd  that  tliere  was  some  ^ooil  reason  for  tTi* 
oatitioD  of  tliti  C4>r]>()rHl,  hikI  with  thu  uxcopiiun  of  Weston,  who  iiad 
promptly  ohi-yed  the  sigriul,  buhily,  but  silenlly  resumed  tiieir  iiiorniiig^i 
iH'rnpntion. 

First,  H  (piarter  of  an  honr,  and  tlien  minute  after  minute  passed  shtwly 
Bwiiy,  yt-t  iliere  was  no  Higu  of  the  return  of  their  companions.    Wliat  could 
Ve  the  nu-tuiitig  of  this!     If  the  bear   had  not  proved  to  bo  too  much  for 
Jieui,  they  ought  to  have  killed  him,  and  rejoined  them  before  tids.     Curi« 
OHJty,  nay,  apprehon>ioii  finally  overcame  the  stronj?  sense  of  obedience  to 
orders,  which  hail  been  literally  drilled  into  them,  and  tliey  all,  at  tlie  8Ug< 
jrewtion  of  (Jiven,  dropped  their  rods  on  the  hanU,  uud  moved  cautiously  in 
the  direction  that  liad  been  taken  by  the  coriiorttl  and  VWston.    (Jreat,  liow- 
ever,  was  the  surprise  of  (./oUins,  then  a  little  in  advance,  when,  on  Hearing 
the  spot  whtre    the   boat  lay    nioori'd,  'le  heli.hl,  noL  tho-<e  of  whom  I  hey 
Were  in  st-au'h.  l)iit  u  nai  fd.  ant!  liiileoii^ly  |iaiiite<l  sava^'c,  in  tlie  v^^ry  act  of 
nntying  tliero|ii'  liv  which  ihc  skill'  wa^  t.i-  t-n.  d  to  .lie  kiiotied  aiid  project- 
ing root  of  the  tree.     Seii-.hle   that    ilirre   was   Imiiendinir  •lan^'^er,  nil  iioii^di 
lie  knew  not  of  what    pi-cii>.-   kiml,   ina^iniiitli   a-,  there  whs  no   reason   i«i 
apprehend   luivthini;    hos  ilc   trom    ilio    liHiims,   with   all  of   wlioiii  nroniid 
the  fort,  they    had  al.vays  heeii   otj  f.-ien<liy   term-<,   lie  siirani^  forwar^l    to 
arrest  the  movt-nK  nt.     lint  the  distance  was  several  rods,  and  ilie  savaL'u, 
alarmed  by  tiie  rnstliiiir  tnade  among  the  foliage  and  briishwooi!  in  his  lear^ 
BOW  put  his  sh«>ulder  ti»  the  boat,  and,  in  the  next  insiaiit  wi.nd  fmve  nud 
It  far  acioss  t!ie  •«rreaiii,  had  not  a  hand,  suddenly  prolnidetl   iVom  bctn  arli 
tfif  liolk)W  clniiiif  oi  eaitli  ojj   widelj  the     '•'••'  j-rew    irri-!'..!   Iiin.   liii:!!',   I»y 
ijitj  ankle,  even  wLile  in  llif  fuM  of  rpi-jriging  into  the  forci:.iy  imcelled  ^ki»f. 
In  a  moment  or  two,  he  i^iapphd   tightly  witli   his   haii'ls   upon  llie  how  of 
the  boat,  but,  timlinj;  the  pies-iire  on  his  im|»ri.-oiKtl  limb  too  irical  for  resis- 
tance, he  relinipiislicd    his   hoM,  fjilling   upon    his   lace  in   t!ie   w.,tei,  tr>Mi 
wliich  he  was  diair;zei!,  alihough  wiilKMit  violence,  by  Corporal   Nixon,  wue 
had  emerged  from  his  liidintr-i'Iatie 

When  the  Indian  was  suffered  to  rise,  there  was  a  threatcninj^  oxp'e-si.nj 

on  his  countenance,  which,  not  even  the  nundjcr  of  those  hy  wl he  wan 

now  surrounded  coidil  check,  and  he  made  an  involuntary  motion  ot  hi--  hand 
to  his  scalping  knife,  the  only  woaium  with  which  he  was  armed,  that  la\  m 
thy  shejith  dangling  frmn  his  girdle.  Seeing,  however,  that  there  was  no 
hostile  disposition  matdfested  by  the  party,  ho  speedily  relintpiislud  his  tiol 
impulse,  and  stood  upright  l)efore  them  with  a  bold,  but  calm  look. 

"What  yon  want  with  boat  ?"  asked  the  corporal,  almttst  iuvtdimtaiily, 
and  without  the  sligh  e»t  expectation  that  his  question  would  be  unUerHluud. 


t; 


nvu' RcnAiuiLr. ;   otj,  tii::  kam,  cv  (iriOAoo. 


05 


"Me  want  Vm  f-rops,"  re|ili»'(l  ilio  TikHhm,  I'ointin;^'  t(»  ilie  <ij>{>osite  wcunlrtw 

''  But  why  you  tviiiic  in  hour  skin  ?"  atMl,  in  his  turn,  tli«  ooriiot'Hl  |ioinu<«| 
H'iili  hU  finirt'i*  in  tjie  diruction  in  which  llie  supposed  bf.ir  hm!  bft*ii  neeii. 

**  I'iih  !"  ^ninied  tiic  suviigo  dugj^odly,  finding  that  he  had  Imcu  doiw.i««I 
ill  his  dis(;uise. 

''  Wii.'U  iiutiofi  you? — Poitawattande  ?" 

"  W.ih  !     rottHwaltainic  I" 

'*  Ciiiious  enough,"  |purhiU'd  the  corporal,  addro8>iiig  himself  to  hid  cot ri- 
rr.dos.  "  I  don't  iialf  like  tin-  lo(  k  of  the  fellow,  but  1  suppo.^e  it's  all  rifjhv. 
We  niii-rri  otVond  hijn.  Yon  chief?"  he  contiriued,  pMJnting  to  a  larjre 
silver  niidiil  suspended  over  the  breast  (»f  the  Mlhietic  and  well-proportioned 
Indian. 

*•  Yif».  tne  chi(;f.  Pottawdttaniio  chief,"  and  he  made  a  Hijjn  in  the  direo- 
ti'ii  of  the  Fori,  near  which  the  encampment  ol   th:it  tribe  hiy. 

••  Yoii  fneiid,  tlicii  V  renwii  ked  the  corporal,  extending  hi '  hand. 

"  Y's,  nil-  friiMiii,"  he  .'lUNwered  promptly,  briglitoning  up  and  taking  i)t^ 
pr'll'i-rcd  li.'ind  ;   '*  y.ni  j/ive  'tin  b  'at  if" 

"  I)  .  Villi  ee  any  tliiiij:  ir:ten  in  my  eye?"  asked  the  Viri,'inian,  ineapj.Sie, 
tvfii  iiiii!«T  tlic  circ.u'i  si.'uiccs,  o(   rL'pi-es>iiig  tiie  indul^^enre  ot  his  hiunor. 

I'lUt  the  l'ir:y  <]nesti..iied,  aiihoiiufh  speaking  a  Hi  tie  Kni^lisli,  was  not 
siiilii  .eiitly  iiiliaied  in  it-  t'leL-nncies  to  t'oiiiprehfud  tlii-j;  so,  ho  inun-lv 
an-wej-ed  wi;!i  a  "  ui;h  !"  while  iho  greater  puriiim  of  the  men  laiigh»Hl 
lioi^iei  ou-i;. .  \»>\\i  at  the  wit  of  the  corporal,  and  at  the  ^ocming  aatoninh- 
Vavii!  it  »'Xii  >-(\. 

Tliis  mil  ill  iiy  iio  tne ms  '■nited  th'i  ht.mor  of  the  Indian.  He  felt  tliat  it 
wa>  dirrci.d  loWMids  idmself,  and  again  he  slocvl  fierce,  and  witli  a  dilating 
frame  bcl'  f"  ihom. 

t  Mrpoiiil  Ni\ciii  lit  once  became  scn-ible  of  hia  error.  To  alfwrnt  one  of 
the  trieiitH\  chic!'-  w(»n!d,  he  knew,  not  oidy  compnnnise  the  interears  of  Om 
g:lr'•i»^»I^  i' It  iu'ur  t'^e  severe  di.-pleasnre  of  the  c  niMiaiiding  oUleer,  wl»o 
li.nd  always  er.joimil  the  most  fcruitulous  abstinence  from  any  thing  offen»l?« 
to  them. 

"I  iitdy  vipant  to  pny."  he  added,  a«  he  again  extended  hi»  h&nd.  *•  I 
cai/t  give  em  b.  nt.  White  ehiel^"  and  he  pointed  in  the  direction  of  tbt 
Fort,  "  no  let  me." 

"  Ugh  I"  cxehiiiiiid  the  Indian,  his  stern  fefttiirert  ngain  brightening  up  with 
A  last  hi>j-e.     "  \SjiMSi-  come  with  liijin  l" 

For  a  moment  or  two,  tlie  curporjd  he:^itafed  »\hrther  or  not  to  put  t.h« 
man  /icross,  Imt,  \Oieii  he  lellecteii  on  tiie  >iiii.Mi!ar  manner  of  his  advent,  an«l 
other  (.'ircumritaMees  (omieered  with  his  appc  n.-mce  H:iii;ng  t.hein.  his  ci'.Mtoin- 
fcry  ['ruc'eiice  lume  to  hi.s  aid,  and  while  av.  i  iin^'  ;v'i  grouiid  t')i'  ullencc  bj 


2(! 


nAnDSC'Twr.r,:.!".  -,   ok,  ':  iik  i\t,i-  (-:•  riiir.\f!o. 


his  mode  of  refusal,  lio  <r;ive  him  peremptorily  td  uinlerstiiiid  that  there  wai 
an  order  against  iiis  biitieriiii^^  tlio  boat  lo  Icive  itrf  present  st.itioii. 

Again  the  countenatice  of  the  Indian  fell,  even  while  iiis  (juick  eye  rolled 
Inceissantly  from  one  to  the  other  of  the  group.  "  You  no  give  'em  boat — 
Injin  swim,"  he  at  lengtli  observed. 

"  Just  as  you  please,"  answered  corporal  Nixon.  "  By  and  bye,  sogers  ga 
to  the  Fort — tnko  Injin  with  'em." 

"  Wall  1  Injin  cross  here,"  and  as  he  spoke,  he  sj)rang  again  tc  the  bow 
of  the  boat,  and  at  a  single  bound  cleared  the  intervening  space  to  the  very 
stern. 

Several  lienvy  splashes  in  the  water- -a  muttered  cui-se  from  tlie  corpora] 
— some  confusion  among  his  men,  and  the  savage  was  seen  nearly  lialf-way 
across  the  river,  swimming  like  an  eel  to  the  opposite  shore. 

"  L>anin  the  awkward  brute!"  exclaimed  the  former,  angrily,  "llow 
many  muskets  are  there  overboard,  Jackson?" 

"  Only  three — and  two  cartouch  boxes." 

''  Duly  three  indeed  !  I  wish  the  fellow  had  been  at  old  Nick,  instead  of 
coming  here  to  creatL-  all  this  confusion.     Is  the  water  deep  at  the  stern  J" 

"Nearly  a  fathom  I  reckon,"  was  the  reply. 

"Then,  m\  lads,  you  must  look  out  for  other  fish  to-day.  Jackson,  can 
you  see  tlie  mu^ket^  at  tlie  bottom  ?" 

"Not  a  sign  of  them,  corporal,"  answered  tlie  man,  as  lying  flat  on  the 
boat,  he  peered  intently  into  the  water.  "The  bottom  is  covered  with 
weeds,  and  I  can  just  see  the  tails  of  two  large  jiikes  wrigizling  an;ong  them. 
liy  Giiiiini,  I  think  if  I  had  my  rod  here,  I  oould  take  them  botli !" 

"Never  mind  them,"  resumed  the  corporal,  again  d«livov-ng  himself  of  a 
little  wit;  "  muskets  will  be  ttf  far  more  use  to  us  just  now  tlian  pikes.  We 
must  li>h  them  up — there  will  he  the  devil  to  pay  if  we  go  home  without 
them." 

"Then  there's  no  other  way  than  diving  for  them,"  said  Jackson,  still 
lookisig  downwards.  "Not  even  the  glitter  of  a  liarrel  can  I  see.  They 
must  have  buried  thenisflves  in  the  weeds.  I  say,  Weston,"  slightly  raising 
bis  head  and  turning  liis  I'aee  to  the  party  named,  "  You're  a  good  diver?" 

"  Yes,  and  Collins  is  lietti.'r  than  me." 

'•  Well  then,  here's  at  it,"  resumed  Jackson,  rising  and  (xunmencing  tt 
strip.  "It's  oidy  by  groping  and  feeling  tluu  we  can  find  the  arms,  and 
^vlien  once  we've  t.imbled  on  'em,  it  will  be  easy  enough  to  git  'em  n[  with 
one  hand,  while  we  swim  with  the  other.  We  must  plunge  iiere  from  th« 
ktern,''  he  added,  as  liie  men  whom  bo  had  named  jumped  oti  board  nni 
ootumeucod  stripping  tht^niselvcs. 


H  VRDSCK  VBni,K  ;    OR.    TIIF,   KATX   OK   CIITCAGO. 


27 


•*How  came  the  Injin  to  knock  tlie  mnskets  overboard,  Corporal  ?"  inqr.ired 
on«  of  the  party  who  Imd  not  yet  spoken — a  fat,  portly  man,  with  a  loi)g 
hooked  nose,  and  a  peaked  chin. 

'•rill  dashed,"  nplied  Nix(rfi,  "if  I  can  tell  myself,  thoiigli  I  was  looking 
at  him  as  he  jumped  from  one  end  of  the  boat  to  the  other.  All  I  know  is, 
the  firelocks  were  propped  against  the  stern  (»f  the  boat  as  we  plaei-d  them, 
with  the  backs  of  the  cartonch  boxes  slung  under  the  ramrods,  and  I  suppose, 
for  I  don't  know  liow  else  it  could  he  done,  that  iflstead  of  alighting  rn  the 
Beat,  he  must  have  passed  it,  and  putting  his  foot  on  tiie  inuz/les,  tipped  them 
with  the  weigiit  of  his  hodv,  Iiead  over  heels  into  the  water." 

"  Corporal,"  ventured  Collins,  as  lie  removed  his  last  garment,  "  you  asked 
that  painted  chap  if  lie  saw  anything  green  in  your  eye.  Now,  that's  as  it 
may  be,  but  hang  me,  if  it  wasn't  a  little  green  to  take  him  for  a  Pottowat- 
tamie  f " 

*'  And  how  do  you  know  [ie  Avas'nt  a  Pottowattarnie  ?  Wlio  made  you  a 
judge  of  Indian  flesh  ?"  retorted  the  ci»r|)oral,  with  an  air  of  dissatisfaction. 
''Didn't  he  -ay  he  was,  and  didn't  he  wear  a  chiefs  medal?" 

"  Say  ?  Ve-J,  I'll  he  bound  he'd  say  and  wear  anything  to  gull  ns,  but  I'm 
sure  he's  no  Pottowattarnie.  I  never  seen  a  Potiowaitamie  of  that  build. 
They  are  tall,  thin,  skinny,  bony  fellows — wiiile  this  chap  wa^  square,  stout, 
broad-shouldeied,  and  full  of  muscle." 

Corporal  Nixon  j)ondered  a  little,  because  half-convinced,  but  would  not 
acknowledge  that  he  could  have  been  mistaken.  "Are  y«m  all  ready?"  lie 
at  length  inquired,  anxious,  like  most  men,  when  driven  into  a  corner  on  on«j 
toi)ic,  to  intro(hiee  another. 

"  All  ready,"  answered  Jackson,  taking  the  first  plunge  in  the  direction  in 
which  he  knew  the  muskets  must  have  fallen. 

Before  foUowing  his  exa'n[)le,  the  others  waited  for  his  report.     This  was 
BO(tn  made.     lit  had  got  hold  of  one  of  the  muskets,  and  pai'tly  lifted  it.  Ic«.)ii' 
its  bed,  but  the  net-work  of  strong  weeds  above  it,  oi)|'0-ing  too  much  resist 
ance,  he  had  been  compelled  lo  quit  his  liold,  and  cauie  to  the  surface  of  the 
water  for  >iir. 

"  Here's  t'ov  finother  trial,"  shouteil  Collins,  as  he  made  his  jdnnge  in  the 
iame  direction.  In  a  few  seconds  he  too,  reappeared,  bearing  in  his  rigiit 
hand,  not  a  firelock,  but  the  two  missing  cartouch  b-ixes. 

'' JJetter  luck  next  linje,"  remarked  corporal  Niion.  "I  think  my  lads, 
if  two  of  you  were  to  separate  the  weeds  with  your  hands,  so  as  to  clear 
each  musket,  the  other  miglit  easily  bring  it  up." 

The  suggestion  oi  the  corjioral  was  at  once  acted  upon,  but  it  \va3  not, 
until  after  repeated  attempts  had  been  made  to  liberate  the  arms  from  their 


■■■ 


f« 


HAltD?CKAUni,K  ;     OK,    TIIK   FA  1,1.   OV    CHICAQO. 


web-like  canopy,  tliMt  two  were  finnlly  lirotifrlir  up  ami.  placed  in  tlie  l)Oftt. 
Tlie  tliird  tliey  tjioped  tor  in  vjiin,  until  hi  lengili,  tlio  men,  (lispiriiod  and 
tired,  declared  it  was  utterly  useless  to  prosecute  the  search,  and  that  tii« 
other  musket  must  be  given  up  as  lost. 

This,  however,  did  not  suit  the  views  of  the  correct  corporal.  He  sa'/J, 
pointedly,  that  he  would  almost  as  soon  return  without  his  head  as  without 
his  arms,  and  that  tl)e  day  having  been  tiOi  ^r  spent  without  the  ao<v»ra- 
rlinhmont  of  the  obioct  ftr  which  thev  ■  '*'*»"v  b«  was  determine»>  t* 

devote  the  remainder  to  the  search.  Not  being  a  bad  diver  Iiimself,  although 
he  had  not  hitherto  deemed  it  necessary  to  add  his  exertions  to  those  of  hii 
comrades,  he  now  stripped,  desiring  those  who  liad  preceded  him  to  throw 
on  their  sliirts  and  rest  themselves  for  another  plunge,  when  he  should  have 
■ucceeiled  in  finding  out  where  the  missing  musket  had  lodged. 

"  What's  that?"  exchiimed  Jackson,  pointing  to  a  small,  dark  object,  of  a 
nearly  circular  shape,  whidi  was  floating  about  lialf  way  between  the 
surface  of  tlie  place  into  wiiich  the  divers  had  plunged,  and  the  weeda 
below. 

Ills  companions  turned  tlieir  eyes  in  the  direction  indicated,  but,  almost 
hiimediutely  af  er  .lackson  had  sptjken,  it  had  disappeared  wholly  from  view 

"  What  did  it  look  like  ?"  asked  tlie  corporal. 

"  It  must  have  been  a  mush  rat,"  returned  Jackson,  "  tiiere's  plenty  of 
\    them  about  here,  and  I  reckon  our  diving  has  disturbed  liie  nest." 

Corporal  Nixon  now  look  his  leap,  but  some  paces  far'.her  out  from  the 
shore  than  his  companions  had  ventured  upon  theiis.  The  direction  was  the 
right  t)iie.  Extending  his  arms  as  he  reached  a  space  entirely  free  from 
Weeds,  liis  right  hand  encountered  the  cold  barrel  of  the  musket,  but  as  he 
Sought  to  glide  it  alonsr,  in  order  that  he  might  grasp  the  butt,  and  thus  drag 
it  endwise  up,  his  hand  disturbed  some  hairy  substance  which  rested  upon 
tlie  Weapon  ca  •.sing  it  to  lloat  slightly  upwards,  until  it  came  in  contact  with 
his  naked  breast.  Now,  the  corporal  was  a  fearle.'-s  soldier  whc«e  nerves 
were  not  etusily  shaken,  but  the  idea  of  a  nasty  mush  rat,  as  they  termed  it, 
touching  his  person  in  this  manner,  produced  in  him  unconquerable  disgust, 
even  while  it  gave  him  the  desperate  energy  to  clutch  the  object  with  a 
nervous  grasp,  and  without  regard  to  the  chance  of  being  bitten  in  the  act, 
by  the  small,  sharp  teeth  of  the  animal.  His  consternation  was  even  greater 
whtn,  on  enclosing  it  within  his  rougii  pahn,  he  felt  the  whole  to  collapse, 
as  tkougii  it  had  been  a  heavy  air-tilled  bladder,  burst  by  the  conipre^siou 
of  his  fingeis.  A  new  feeling — a  new  chain  of  ideas  now  took  pokise.-siou 
i»f  him,  and  leaving  the  musket  where  it  was,  he  rose  near  the  spot  frotn 
which  he  first  started,  and  still  clutching  his  hairy  and  undesirable  prises 


TrAiinprTJATJTiii: 


oTi.  TiTK  VA'  T,  or  (  ;nrA<^  o. 


29 


threw  U  from  liiin  toward.-^  t.-.i-  Imiit,  into  tin.-  bnttoin  I't"  which  it  IVII,  aftt^r 
(?rft7.itiir  tlie  clu'ek  of  '.'ollins 

*'P<niliI  jM)»)!i!  puuli,"'  spliiitored  the  la'tfr,  iiiovlii).'  us  if  theiicitm  \vjn 
nect'.-^.'irv  to  diseiiihan  Mss  him  of  I  he  tiii^iiflitly  ohject  no  lon^'er  tlier«. 

A  rifw  B'-iirce  of  curiosity  wa-  now  created,  n.-t  only  anionu;  the  sw  iniincr-'. 
b!it  the  idlers  avIio  were  smoking  ihi-ir  jiipes  and  l(H>king  cHiek'^sl}-  (>n.  All 
now,  without  ventuiinir  to  toiicli  the  loathsome  lot)kiiig  tiling,  g;i;heri(l 
arou'iid  it  endeiivoring  to  ascertain  really  what  it  was. 

*'  W  liat  do  yoo  make  of  the  creature?"  as^ked  corjioral  Nixon,  wh",  now 
Hiscending  the  side  of  the  bout,  observed  how  much  tiie  int«3rest  of  his  men 
tiad  been  excited. 

'•  I'm  >nre  I  can't  say,"  answered  Jackson.  '*  It  looks  for  all  tlie  world  iik<j 
8  r..t,  only  the  hair  is  «(>  long.  Dead  enough  though,  for  it  does  not  budge 
&n  lUt  h." 

*'  Let's  see  what  it  is,''  said  tne  man  with  the  long  hooKed  nose,  and  thf 

9Mke(i  chiu.  ^ 

liy  no  iiu-ans  anxi(»u-<,  however,  to  touch  it  with  hih  hands  l:e  took  up  ih« 

tp«:ir  and  turned  over  and  over  the  clammy  ami  motionles-  mi-H. 

''  Just  lu*  I  tiioU(iht,"  exclaimed  tiie  corporal,  with  a  whiidder,  as  tlie  wea- 
pon unfolding  the  whole  to  view,  disclosed  alternately  the  moi.-tetied  liair  antt 
thick  and  bloody  skin  of  a  huin.'in  head. 

''Gemini,"  cried  Jackson,  how  came  this  scalp  here,  it  has  been  freshly 
taken — this  very  day — yet  how  could  it  get  here?" 

"  Depend  upon't,"  said  Green,  "  that  chief  that  was  here  just  now,  could 
tell  sornethiii'  nhout  it,  if  lie  had  a  mind." 

''JIk'U  no  must  have  had  it  in  his  breech-cloth,"  remarked  the  cor|K>rjil 
seriou-ly,  foi  not  a  ra;f  beside«4  had  he  about  him."  No,  no  it  couldn't  be 
him,  ami  yit  its  very  strange." 

'•  Of  course  it  couldn't  be  him,"  maliciously  interfered  Collins,  who  had  so 
far  conqiKred  his  tirst  disgust,  as  to  take  tlie  object  of  discussion  into  Idso.vii 
liands,  '•  lor  you  know  he  was  a  Pottowattamie,  and  therefore  wouldn't  scalp 
tor  tiie  World." 

'*  l>ut  wlMise  can  it  be?"  resumed  Jacks^>D,  and  how  did  it  got  hero.  1 
am  sure  its  that  of  a  boy." 

"  C-ould  it  have  tloaied  here  from  the  farm?"  half  ques;ioiied  (Jreen  mi:s 
Inyly.     "Somethin"  struck  me  like  shots  from  that  (luarter.  about  an   h.eif 
U'lore  tiie  Injia  swam  across,  and  dash  me,  now  1  reeolK-ci  it,  i'm  suf  1 
heard  a  cry,  just  after  the  corfioral  left  us  to  go  after  that  bear." 

*'  Nonsense,"  said  the  Virginimi,  ''how could  itdoat  against  the  stream, anj 
M  for  the  shots  you  think  you  heard,  you  must  have  taken  Ephraim  (Ji!e*t'i 
use  blows  for  tUeui^.     Besides,  you  couldu'l  hear  shots  at  that  disiauoe.     It 


BM 


'■     ! 


30 


nAUDs^ciiAuuM: ;  on,  thk  kai.i,  ok  ( iiuACKt, 


you  did,  itTnust  be  fnun  some  of  the  huntera." 

"  Jiut  the  cry,  corporal,"  urged  Jackson,  "  what  say  you  to  the  cry  Green 
aaysiie  heanl  when  you  left  us  T' 

''  All  stuff;  did  anybody  else  hear  it  besides  Green,  you  were  all  sitting  on 
the  bank  with  liiui?'' 

No  one  answering  in  the  affirmative,  Corporal  Nixon  declared  the  thing 
to  bo  impossible,  or  he  should  have  heard  it  too;  nor  could  be  see  whiit 
connection  there  was  between  that  cry — suppo^•ing  there  had  been  one — and 
the  facts  that  had  come  immediately  umler  their  own  observation. 

"  Hist,"  iiiterrnpte<l  Collins,  placing  (^ue  hand  upon  the  speaker's  shoulder, 
and  with  the  bihor  directinj,'  his  attention  to  what,  now  seen  by  the  whole 
«f  the  party,  was  ill  calculated  to  re-assure  them. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

RTKAi.Tnii.Y  {rliding  through  the  fresh  and  thinly  foliaged  wood,  that 
skirled  tiie  opposite  shore,  yet  almost  concealed  frt)m  view,  Corporal 
Nixon  now  belield  the  crouching  forms  of  several  armed  Indians,  nearly 
naked,  ai  d  evidently  in  war  costume.  They  were  following  the  serpontin* 
course  necessitated  b;  the  interposing  trees,  and  seeki?i<:j  cautiously  to  &stab> 
hsi   <JieinsidTes  b(;liiml  cover  on  the  very  verge  of  the  hank. 

"  Hack  mm  tor  y<mr  lives,  there's  nt)thiug  frieiuhy  tiiere,"  exclaimed  tht 
Virginian  the  moment  that  his  glance  had  taken  iu  the  s-cene,  "out  witb 
the  arms,  and  divide  the  dry  ammunition.  Collins,  you  are  a  smart  fellow, 
do  you  and  (rroen  set  to  work  and  light  a  fire,  but  out  of  sight,  and  dry  the 
muskets  as  fa^t  as  you  can.  lliere  are  twelve  pounds  in  each  of  the  five 
remaining  cartouch  boxes,  these  will  do  for  a-spell,  Jackson,  Philips,  tree 
yourselves,  while  Cass  lies  flat  in  the  stern,  and  keeps  a  good  look  out  oa 
the  devils,  without  exposing  himself.  Now,  my  lads,  do  all  this  very 
quit'tly,  and  as  if  you  didn't  think  there  was  danger  at  hand.  If  they  see 
any  signs  of  fear,  they  will  pitch  it  into  you  directly.  As  it  is,  they  are  only 
waiting  to  settle  themselves,  and  do  it  at  their  leisure." 

"  Pity  they  don't  make  a  general  of  you,  corporal,"  remarked  Collins,  &» 
he  i)roceeded  quietly  with  Green  to  the  execution  of  the  duty  assigned  to 
them.  "  I  guess  VV^ashington  himself  couldn't  better  oommaad  a  little  army, 
h;     <ur  battle  order  finished,  general?" 

^i^'une  of  your  nonsense,  master  Collins,  this  is  no  time  for  jesting.  Go 
«n':   -^iry  these  arms,  and  when  you.  have  tb«m  so  that  ihe^  can  send  a  bul< 


W7P!m 


iiA!;',vr;!Ar.",:,K  :    I'l:,  "iMiiKAM.  <>  "  <ni('\(i'>. 


:n 


l(M  fr'ijn  t^''ir  tliro.'it-:,  Jdui  .Tnrk^on  iMni  I'ltiliit-;  in  cuvri'iiin  tl<e  boat.  Wes* 
ti'ii  iifi'"'  i  will  taki'  ;ij>  or.r  lir-t,  stJtli^'n." 

Aru!  ill  loss  rime  iluiii  we  iiave  !.'ik*'!i  to  describe  t'lC  f";uisi!  of  tin;  jilnrtn, 
and  the  iiistnicti.oiia  i;iveii  in  coM^el)^len^.;e,  tlie  ineu  had  liastcncd  to  i-xeciim 
the  soviTul  (liitifs  ;issii,'iied  lu  tlieni  on  shore,  svhile  Cass  remained,  nor  only 
wiih  a  vifw  of  showing  the  Iiniian^  ih;it  tlie  boat  waa  not  wholly  iin.y;iiardcii, 
but,  to  he  ennliled  to  infortn  his  roiniades,  who  could  disiiiicily  his-ir  hi:ii 
wiihoiit  reiideririL^  any  particular  elevation  of  the  voii'e  necessary,  "t  any 
iniportHiit  iiinveinent  on  the  part  of  the  former.  Tliis  quietii.le  of  arrati;;- 
ment  on  the  part  of  Corporal  Nixon  had,  seeniinjj^ly,  been  not  without  etleiK. 
It  wa.s  evident  that  the  liulians  had  no  suspicion  that  they  had  hfen  seen, 
{H:l  even  when  tlie  men  coolly  quitted  the  boat,  they  showed  no  iiiip.iiii'iico 
iiidicitive  of  an  iniptre-sion  tliat  the  party  were  seeking  to  shieUl  theniselvea 
from  an  impcnddiiir  danger. 

'•  This  silence  is  strange  enough,"  said  the  corporal  to  his  companion,  after 
thiv  had  been  some  minutes  secieted  in  the  cavity  from  which  the  di-part- 
uit.'  i>f  the  Indian  with  the  boat  had  been  arrested.  '"I  almost  wish  they 
would  fi!'e  a  shot,  for  that  would  at  once  tell  us  iiow  to  act,  and  what  we  are 
to  fXpeiit,  whether  they  are  friendly  Indians  or  not." 

But  no  shot  was  lired,  and  tV«m  the  moment  when  the  men  qnitted  tho 
boat,  and  t^ok  up  tiieir  positions,  everything  had  continued  silent  as  the 
grave  vn  tlie  <'{)posite  shore,  and  not  the  ve.-tiL''e  of  an  Indian  could  he  seen. 

"l>iit  lor  tiiat  sciilp,"  again  remarked  the  corporal,  '"1  should  take  tlm 
pai  ty  to  have  been  friendly  Indiana,  pt-u-haps  just  returned  fi'oin  a  butfalo 
hunt,  and  come  down  to  the  water  to  drink.     They  are  surely  gone  again." 

'''Look  there,"'  said  Weston,  in  a  subdued  tone,  while  he  p'aced  his  liand 
on  the  shoulder  of  his  superior,  as  both  lay  crouched  in  their  hiding-place, 
"look  there,  corporal,"  and  he  pointed  with  his  finger  to  the  opposite  bank. 
*'  Do  y()u  see  tliat  largo,  blackish  log  lying  near  the  hickory  and  with  iti 
end  towards  usT' 

"  1  do— wiiatof  it?" 

"  Weil,  lioii  L  ya  see  soiiiething  crouchitig  like  bet  fvccn  the  log  atid  the 

true — soniLtl.ii.L''  (•h)se  up  ;o  both.     See!  it  moves  now  a  little." 

Corporal   >,'i\-iin  sti-aitied   his  ga/.e  iu   the  direction   in'lirated,  but   wa« 

oblig'd  to  ;!dmit   tliat,  akiiough  he  distinctly  eiiOUizh   saw   the  log  and    the 

tr*?",  he  cotild  t'ot  di-C'.'rn.  an.y  betwt.'eu  thing  them. 

'•-At'M?,  do  you  see  it  ?'"  again  eagt-rly  iuiiuired  Weston,  as,  at  thai  moment, 

the  same  auinial  was  seen  to  turn  itself  within  the  very  liuiitod  space  which 

hkd  been  indicated. 


I 


}7 ' T^a  :;  \rr.T  r  ;   on,  r:n:  y\ZA,  <r  rniCA'^o. 


I 


"Tm,  T  see  5t  now,"  roplied  tlie  Vircflninn,  "  but  it%  ar<  likoly  to  bt  a  hr>g 

1^  a  i:idi.,  for  aiiN  tinner  1  (;;in  tiuike  of  that  shipe;  h  Iio<r  tiiat  liiui  b«eri  filling 
h\B  »ikin  wiLii  h.ckors  iiiits,  iiiid  is  hut  now  wnkiiif?  out  of  liitt  slei-p.  Still,  m 
the  iiijins  wore  tlitTf  j'lsi  t'.ow,  it  may  bo  tliiit  if  they're  gono,  they've  left  a 
spy  bchirit!  thrill.  We'll  m>oii  know  Imw  iiidticiM  «^tJUi(i,  for  it  won't  do  to 
r«inain  bere  h11  ni^rbr.  C.'i^si,"  ad'lre-siii^  the  m.-iii  in  the  b(»ftt  who  wa» 
«oat«d  low  in  the  :Jtorn,  only  oi'-oasioiialiy  takinj^  a  sly  in-ep.  an<l  iiiiiiieiii- 
at«ly  witlidrAwiiig  his  lieail,  "'  place  your  c.ip  on  the  ru'hioi',  and  lie  tlat  in 
the  bot.tca.  If  tlh^y  are  tliM'e,  and  moan  to  tiro  at  all,  they  will  try  their 
hands  at  thuL  " 

*' I  hope  t hoy  are  good  inarksnien,  corporal,"  replied  the  man,  as  raining 
bia  right  ann.  he  removed  his  forage  cap  and  placed  it  so  that  the  upper 
half  only  conld  bo  seen.  "  I've  no  great  fancy  for  those  ride  buHeis,  and 
give  them  a  wide  berth  when  I  can." 

*' Now  are  you  convinced?''  a.sked  Weston,  addressing  the  corporal,  &4 
both  di>tin(;ily  saw  the  object  upon  which  their  attention  had  been  anxiously 
fixed,  rai>e  Ids  head  and  shoulders,  while  he  deliberately  rested  iiis  ritie 
•ga!n>-t  liie  log  on  his  riglst. 

"(jh)se  (!ow!i,  Cass — don^t  move,"  enjoined  the  Virginian  ;  "the  bait  han 
token,  am!  we  siiall  luive  a  shot  presently." 

Two  alnujst  iiiipercepiihle  jets  of  spiral  smoke,  and  crack,  crack,  went 
two  ritlt«,  while  smiuhaneously  with  the  report,  fell  back  into  the  boat,  the 
perforated  torage  cap.  Both  balls  had  passed  throiigli  ii,  and  lodged  in  the 
heart  of  the  tree  to  which  the  skitF  was  moored,  ami  behind  which  Jacksou 
and  Philips  had  taken  their  stand. 

Evidenily  he  irving  that  they  had  killed  a  man,  the  whole  of  the  ban<l, 
hitiierto  concealed  behind  logs  and  trees,  now  rose  to  their  feet,  and  uttertjd 
a  fierce  and  tiimiiphant  yell. 

"  Devili-h  <T(Hu]  tirin',  that,"  remarked  Groen,  wlm^e  ffice  had  been  touched 
by  a  s[)linter  of  bark  torn  from  the  tree  by  one  of  tlie  balls. 

"Don't  uncover  yt)urselves,  my  lads,"  hastily  commanded  tlie  corporal, 
"  al'  t'.e  felloWR  want  now  is  to  see  us  exposed,  that  they  may  have  a  crack 
at  as." 

"  We've  dried  the  muskets  after  a  fashion,"  said  Collins,  as  he  now 
ajiprouched  Jackson  and  Philips.  "Give  na  a  cartridge,  and  let's  see  if  we 
can't  match  the  varmint  at  that  sort  of  work."  Then,  having  loaded,  he, 
without  asking  the  corporal's  permission,  leaned  his  mosket  against  the  tree, 
and  taking  a  steady  aim  at  the  man  who  had  fired  from  the  point  tnt  noticed 
kj  Weston,  drew  the  trigger. 

The  ihot  had  evidently  taken  effect,  for  two  other  Indians  we.o  now 


1} 


Tiv  T 'i'^'Ar.r.i.i';  ot:,  t"e  fai.t.  of  cnirAoo. 


83 


went 


foitig  to  il  e  KssistWico  of  tlitir  (ionirade.  wliorii  thoy  rained  from  the  ground 
'wlieix-  !i;!  IkhI  seci-cted  tlieiiiselves  after  tlie  yell),  and  hurried  to  th«  rcjtr. 

A  Idiiil  choei-  b'jrst  (Voiu  the  lips  of  Collins,  wliich  was  answered  iininedi. 
ately  by  ilie  whole  of  the  savages,  who,  from  various  contiguous  j)*!!!!!-, 
ipraug  again  to  their  feet,  and  vociferating  tiie  war-whoop,  da^^hed  into  tL6 
river  nearly  up  to  their  necks,  seemingly  thirsting  to  overconoe  the  only 
obstacle  which  prevented  them  from  getting  at  their  desired  victims. 

But,  at  tiie  very  moment,  when  several  of  thetn  were  liohling  their  riflen 
aloft  with  their  right  hand,  securing  their  powder-horns  between  their  tee;h, 
while  Corporal  Nixon  issued  to  his  men  injunctions  not  to  pull  another 
trigger  nntil  the  savages  should  begin  to  swim,  to  the  astonishment  of  all, 
came  the  sullen  and  unusual  booming  of  the  cannon  from  the  Fort. 

For  a  moment,  the  men,  taking  their  eyes  off  the  sights  of  their  muskets, 
listened  attentively  for  a  repetition  of  the  shot,  but  no  second  report  reached 
tiieir  ears. 

"  That,"  said  Green,  "  was  a  warnin'  for  us." 

"  It  was,"  observed  the  corporal.  '^  llad  the  danger  been  there,  they  would 
have  fired  again.  Depend  nj)on  it,  my  lads,  there's  more  going  on  about 
liere  than  we  think.  So  don't  throw  away  your  ammunition.  Every  bullet 
you  send  must  tell!" 

*'  Well,  we  can  but  sell  our  scalps  as  dearly  as  possible,"  interposed  Coilins, 
who  had  again  loaded,  and  was  now  in  the  act  of  raising  and  supporting  his, 
musket  against  tUe  tree.     "  Hut  look — see  how  the  fellows  are  stealing  ofi'?' 

"  Don't  fire,  then,  don't  fire,"  hastily  enjoined  the  corporal.  "  If  they 
will  go  quietly,  let  them.  We  must  not  lose  our  time  dallying  liere,  but 
make  our  way  back  to  the  Fort.  That  gun  was  meant  to  recall  us,  as  well 
as  to  warn  us,  and  luckily  it  has  frightened  the  Indians,  so  they  won't  car© 
to  attack  us  again." 

Meanwhile  the  band  of  Winnebagoes,  obeying,  as  it  seemed,  the  command 
of  their  leader,  whom  Collins  swore  he  could  identify  from  his  figure,  even 
at  that  distance,  to  be  the  man  who  had  attempted  to  carry  oflf  the  boat, 
quitted  the  river  for  the  cover  of  the  woods,  and,  after  an  earnest  consulta- 
tion, retreated  slowly  in  the  direction  of  the  prairie,  without  clamor  of  any 
descrii)tion. 

'^  Well  rid  of  them,  if  they  are  gone,"  exclaimed  the  corporal,  not  a  little 
relieved  by  their  departure.  "  We  must  keep  a  sharp  look  out  though,  and 
see  if  they  return." 

"  How  many  of  tbem  are  there  f"  asked  Jackson  ;  "  can  you  give  a  guess, 
Collins?" 

**  About  a  dozen  I  bhould  sa; — ^i\deed  I  counted  as  many  as  they  passed 


-^ 


(   1 


84 


iiAi;n:<('iiAiir.i  ;:  :   ou    rr:.  kai.t,  en    ci'k  '.co. 


i   . 


throii^Ij  tlie  siiiftll  |i;itcli  lit'  cii-iii-iiiL'  inn.U'  hy  K;'^.  (Jiio'u  ;i.\e. 

*' Curi  tliey  Iiave  stnrti'd  fni'  ilie  tanii ''^  tih-f-i  vcd  tlie  corpnnil  iiHislniriy : 
*^\i'  n(»,  my  la<!s,  wc  luid  InUcr  get.  aw.'iy  n-*  i-onri  »is  |.u>  ible,  lor  there  lliey 
will  rind  catiues  ti)  cr(i5.s." 

"  Why,  sure  tln-y  can  swi?n  ftoposs  well  cnniifrh.  Tlie  river  is  no!  ao  wid* 
M  t»  ])r«voiit  tliotn  fnMii  doing  it  on  n  p.jcli,"  remarked  Philips. 

"Of  conriie  they  can,"  answeied  OoUiiw,  "  biit  nnt  without  having  theil 
nflpii  AM  well  floaked  as  onr  musket'*  wcf  a  little  while  atro.     I  siy,  corporak 
(  understand  now  the  tricJc  of  that  cnnning  chief.     Ho  jumpti  up«>ii  tins 
arms  purposely  to  overturn  tliein  into  the  river,  wiien  he  fomid  he  couUln't 
get  tiie  ho.'it,  and  all  our  firelocks  over  with  him." 

"Yes,  that  wtis  a  trick,"  remarked  Jtickson,  "but,  corporal,  you  hAvn't 
told  us  how  the  dickens  that  fellow  came  there,  instead  of  the  bear  yoo 
•went  to  spear." 

"  There  is  no  time  to  talk  about  it,  seriously  rejoined  the  Virginian.  Some 
night  when  we  are  on  guard,  I  will  tell  you  what  little  I  know.  At  prescMit 
let  us  see  to  getting  hack  to  our  post.  Collins,  you  are  the  crack  shot  of  liie 
party,  are  you  loaded  ?" 

"  1  am,  corporal,"  returned  tlie  man  somewhat  helf-snfTicie.itly,  "have  you 
got  another  Ii.jin  for  me  to  sink.  If  so.  Just  j)  »int  him  out,  and  if  this  good 
barrel  of  Uncle  Sam's  don't  do  his  job  in  no  time,  I'll  give  up  all  claim  to 
having  hit  the  first  fellow." 

"  Not  just  yet,"  answered  his  superior,  "  bat  hear  my  orders.  You'll  t'oll(>w 
the  path  along  the  bank,  and  move  along  carefully,  until  you  reach  Hey« 
wood's  stacks.  Conceal  yourself  behind  one  of  them,  until  we  come  down 
with  the  boat,  and  keep  a  shirp  lookout  on  all  that  you  see  passing  in  amt 
r(»nnd  the  farm.  Now  remember,  Collins,  not  a  shot,  unless  it  be  to  save 
your  life,  or  else  you  will  get  us  all  into  a  scrafte." 

"Never  fear  me.  General  Nixon,  and  he  touched  his  cap  with  all  the 
respect  he  would  have  accorded  to  an  officer  of  that  rank.  I  bronglit  one  of 
the  imps  down,  and  that,  I  reckon,  is  nearly  as  good  work  for  one  day,  as 
(iiling  the  old  boat  with  fish,  or  having  a  slap  at  them  ducks,  a?  I  wanted 
this  morning.  But  now  I'm  oflf,  if  I  see  anything  shall  I  halloo  ovt,  and  leS 
you  know  there's  danger?" 

*'  Not  by  a  long  chalk,"  returned  the  corporal.  "  All  I  want  yon  to  do  is  to 
keep  your  tongue  in  your  head  and  your  eyes  open.  If  you  ?ee  any- 
thing to  alarm  yon,  come  back  quietly  j.nd  let  us  know.  We  shall  be  mov^ 
mi,'  down  close  to  tlie  bank  of  the  river ,  and  now  start." 

Collins  threw  his  musket  to  the  trail,  and  advanced  cautiously,  thougli 
fearlessly,  along  the  scarcely  perceptible  pathway — interrupted  at  evei-y  third 


iiAiii'f:('U.\:>:u,K;   ok,  tiii;  v\h\.  <<k  tiucAUo. 


83 


]  tiMislHiriy : 
r  tl:ere  they 

nor  80  wid« 

laving  theii 

ly,  ciirporal 

i  npoii   tha 

he  conUlij't 

you  hAvn't 
le  bear  yoo 

nian.     Some 

At  present 

^  shot  of  ilie 

,  "  have  you 
if  tins  gomi 
all  claim  to 

You'll  tolh.w 

read  I  Hev« 

come  down 

sing  in  aint 

be  to  save 

nth  all  tha 
light  one  of 
one  (lay,  as 
a?  I  wanted 
ovt,  and  leS 

1  to  do  is  to 

m  ?ee  auy- 
dl  be  inov« 

sly,  tjionafli 
eveiy  third 


or  Vf».ir'Ii  s'e',i  hv  ort't'|iii!g  vines  that  protriidt'd  t'roiii  ihe  t-urth,  and  riMidored 
It  ;:c('  s.ny,  ii.  order  V>  prevent  his  tripping,  that  he  shonhl  raise  his  feet 
somewhat  in  the  manner  of  a  liorse  witli  the  string-halt. 

He  had  not  proceeded  half  a  mile,  when,  at  an  angle  of  the  ill-defined 
t;  path,  ft)rmed  hy  a  point  wlicre  the  river  was  the  narrowest,  ho  was  startled 

H  at  the  sight  of  a  human  body  lying  across  his  course,  evidently  on  its  t'af«, 
triougli  the  head  was  conceiilod  from  view  by  the  trunk  of  a  large  tree  thai 
bordered  upon  the  road.     His  first  impulse  was  to  turn  back  and  aciiunini 

I,  the  corporal  with  wliat  he  had  discovered;  but  a  few  minutes  of  retloetioa 

Mtisfying  him  of  the  ridicule  he  should  incur  in  reporting,  without  bcinir  able 
to  state  witli  accuracy  on  tchtit,  he  boldly  advanced.  On  approaching  it,  h« 
found  that  the  body  was  lifeless,  whdo  from  the  red  aiid  scalpless  head,  pre- 
viously hidden  from  his  view,  were  exuding  gouts  of  thick  blood  that  trickle*! 

mm  Mowly  over  the  pale  features  of  a  youth  of  tender  age,  the  expression  of 
which  had  been  worked  nj?  into  an  intensity  of  terror,  and  there  remained. 
A.t  a  few  paces  from  tlie  head,  and  olnep  np'>n  the  edsje  of  the  bank.  l*v  • 
dressed  bear  skin  wincii  tiad  evuientiy  been  saturated  with  water,  but  wm 
now  fast  drying  in  the  air  and  what  little  sutdight  was  occasionally  throWD 
cpon  it,  through  the  dense  brandies  of  the  forest. 

There  are  situations  in  whicii  tlie  mind  is  moved  to  do  that  from 
whicla  in  cooler  moments  it  would  shrink  with  disgust.  It  chanced  that 
Collins  had  retained  the  scalp  so  singularly  found  at  the  bottom  of  the  river, 
by  Corporal  Nixon,  and  this  circumstance  at  once  determined  him. 

Instead  of  hastening  by  an  object  so  appalling,  Collins  rested  his  musket 

iguinst  a  tree,  and  taking  the  scalp  from  between  the  ramrod  and  the  stock, 

where  he  had  introduced  it,  knelt  by  the  body,  and  sj)reading  out  the  humid 

ikin  to  it  j  fullest  extent,  applied  it  to  the  bleeding  excavation.     As  he  had 

suspected,  they  corresponded  exactly,  making  all  due  allowance  for  the  lime 

tliey  had  been  separated,  and  he  had  no  longer  a  doubt  that  the  mutilated  boy 

was  Mr.  Heywood's  help,  Wilton.     A  mucli  more  important  discovery  than 

this,  however,  resulted  from  his  vain  endeavor  to  recognise  the  l.oy  from 

,  his  features,  they  were  so  contracted  by  terror,  as  has  already  been  said,  and 

'%■  60  covered  with  blood  as  to  be  undistinguishable.     But  on  turning  hiiu  upon 

-4  his  b;ick,  and  passing  his  hands  over  his  fare,  Collins  was  surprised  t(t  find 

that  there  was  not  that  icy  chill  which  he  had  expected,  but  on  the  contrary 

thb  faint  warmth  that  indicates  suspended  animation  ;  and  deeper  yet  was 

I,  the  gratiilcation  of  the  rude  soldier,  when,  on  opening  the  shirt  and  placing 

his  hand  on  the  heart  of  the  boy,  he  felt  an  occasional  ispasiiuodic  pulsation, 
denoting  that  life  wms  not  utterly  extinct. 
With  an  eageriiwk  to  preserve  life  strongly  in  contrast  with  his  recent 


i 


k1 


V  y  '• 


r     r  !■■    '•"!'    '<•!'). 


exiil;:iti"ti  ill  tlrs:ri\  iiiir  it.  liis  nti.\i»'ty  for  tlio  roci'Miy  .  f  the  hoy  -.vni 
almost  imtenml.  iMirtiiiuilt'ly  tin-  Ijitier  [lai't  (»('  tlif(l;iy  lii<l  Iron  fri'i;  *'roin 
llie  cliilllnesH  (tf  tlie  ui'iniiiii:  so  i  li.-it,  altlioiii'li  tlu-  iiakcii  hkiill  iiiii>t  Imvij 
lieoii  Sdiiic  hours  fxpost-d,  ilu;  CMir)iiiira;ivrly  l>ia!i(l  siiito  of  liio  atiiiDsplifro. 
giive  fair  oarni'st  l!iat  tlie  brain  itseU',  cvt-n  if  alVectC!!,  1^:1(1  ii.it  ^ll<t.•lillL•(l  » 
mortal  injury.  Spreadiiif^  wide  the  turnip  in  hi.s  open  j>alii),  Collins  now 
iireathed  heavily  npon  it,  until  it  attaiaed  wliat  he  coiux'ived  to  bo  the 
nec('«  ary  warmtli,  when  gently  applyin^'  it  to  the  denuded  crown,  to  whicii 
he  fitted  it  as  well  as  he  could,  he  passed  his  handkerchief,  which  he  had 
removed  from  his  throat,  ovei  it,  and  under  the  chin  of  tlie  boy  in  such  ft 
wanner  as  to  prevent  the  chill  of  the  approaching  idght  from  atfecting  the 
Injured  part.  This  done,  he  poured  thiongh  his  closed  lips  a  few  droi)s  of 
Avl>i-ky  from  the  canteen,  and  then  raisirg  him  gently  on  his  left  nhotildei', 
lie  rose  from  his  8too))ing  posture,  and  seizing  in  his  right  hand  his  musket, 
which  he  continued  ut  the  trail,  pursued  his  route  to  the  haystacks  as 
directed. 

In  the  meantime,  Corporal  Nixon,  with  the  remainder  of  the  fishing  party, 
WHS  slowly  descending  the  river,  hugging:  the  eastern  shore  as  closely  as  possi 
ble, -in  order  that,  if  attacked  suddenly,  they  might,  on  tliti  instant,  le?i( 
into  th«  river,  and  covering  themselve.-  by  the  boat,  fight  tin  :r  enemies  at 
less  disadvantage.  The  corporal  liiins.lf  and  Weston  ke[)t  a  vigikint  lo(.k 
out,  tlie  one  at  the  bow,  the  other  at  the  stern,  while  the  four  remair-.ing 
Bipn,  Jackson,  riiilifis,  CJioen,  and  Ca-s  pulled  so  noiselessly  lliat  the  dip  of 
♦heir  oars,  and  their  urnwo  dable  jar  in  the  row-locks,  conld  not  be  heard  si 
a  distance  of  more  than  ten  yards.  At  tiiis  slow  r^te  much  time  was  iieoes* 
■arily  consumed,  80  that  it  was  quite  drirk  when  they  reached  the  trav.irse 
opposite  the  farm,  wheru  Ephraim  Giles  had  crossed  some  hours  before,  and 
whither  Collins  had  been  dispatched  to  make  observations. 

The  patience  of  the  latter  had  been  much  tried,  for  it  seemed  ah  ago  had 
elapsed  before  his  comrades  made  their  appearance.  The  sun  was  jusw  set- 
ting as  he  reached  the  innernxast  haystiok,  and  his  anxiety  for  his  cnaige 
hud  become  intense.  Seeing  the  canoe  drawn  up  on  the  beach,  and  the  pad- 
dles in  it,  ho  had  a  strong  inclination  to  cross  and  procure  some  eftieient 
relief  for  the  insent^ible  boy,  but  the  silence  tiiat  rci,.rned  around  the  nwell- 
ing  awed  him,  and  he  checked  the  natural  iin[)nlso.  }U>t  a  soul  was  to  he 
Been,  not  a  voice  to  be  heard,  not  eve  i  the  barkiry  of  Loup  Gaioti,  the 
bleating  of  a  sheep,  or  the  lowing  of  an  ox.  What  could  this  mean?  auA 
was  the  fate  of  the  boy  connected  with  t  lat  of  the  other  inmates  of  the  farm  I 
ll  flo.  where  were  they  ? 

Anetlier  consideration  uiduced  Collins  to  suppress  his  first  impulse,  and 
ihat  was  the  apprehension  th»t  Uii*  strange  charge  would  be  detained  by  Mr. 


I 


w 


n\RDso;;\iinLF. ;  ok,  tiik  fall  of  ciiicaoo. 


87 


bny  'vni 
triH!  •Vol II 
iil>t    li;iv<i 
llMspliflO. 
StilillL'll    )i 

lliiis  now 
[)  bo  tlie 
to  wliicli 
li  he  had 
n  8Ucli  a 
ntiiig  the 

{\vn\)^  ot' 

9  juusket, 
jtaclcs  lis 

ng  party, 

aa  possi 

ant,  le?i( 

einiosi  at 

unt  lo(.k 

einair-.iiig 

le  clip  of 

heard  a« 

as  iieoee* 

trav  .irse 

foro,  aiiJ 

age  had 

jllSi,   SOL- 

s  CI  large 
the  pad- 
!  efticieiu 
0  a  well- 
as  to  be 
roil,  the 
ian  ?  atkd 
he  farm  f 

ilse,  and 
Id  by  Air. 


t 


Heyvvood,  whon  his  only  cIilmk^o  of  recovery  lay  in  tlio  speedy  exaininatlon, 
and  drt'.-.'.iiig  h\H  injiirit-  I'V  tlio  sii -geou  of  iho  garrison.  Tiiei-o  was  no  alter- 
native then,  \tiit  to  Wiii:  ,  tifiitly  for  tiie  arrival  of  tlie  boat  into  whicli  the 
boy  could  be  placed,  and  ^o  coi.vcwd  to  the  fort.  Meanwhile,  a*i  the  ni^ht  air 
was  becoming  chill,  antl  a  r-lj^h;  I  ig  rising  from  the  water,  the  con.«.iilerate 
soldier  did  all  he  cunl!  to  ^ilie^i  his  protig6  from  thiir  pernicious  edVct. 
Sirewing  on  the  ground  a  few  armfuls  of  hay,  taken  from  tlie  nearest  of  the 
Blacks,  around  which  the  !iii::gry  cattle  now  gaihercd,  eager  for  their  food, 
he  exttiidcd  on  it  the  yet  inanimare  form  of  tiio  ycuth,  eiubracing  the  body 
in  order  to  impart  to  it  the  benotit  of  animal  heat,  and  in  this  position, 
his  head  being  sliglitly  raised,  ecijjerly  endeavored  to  discern  through  the 
darkness  not  only  what  might  be  seen  ou  thd  opposite  shore,  bat  the 
jpproacli  of  the  party  in  tiie  boat. 

The  sun  had  now  been  down  siine  time,  and  so  dark  was  it  that,  in  that 
narrow  space,  obscured  by  ihe  bltuding  shadows  of  ilie  tall  forest'*  on  eithex 
ihoi-e,  it  was  dillicult,  at  five  yards  distance,  to  make  out  anytliing  on  the 
water,  unaccompanied  by  liglit  or  sound.  This  silence  was  anything  but 
agreeable  to  Collins,  whose  imagination,  excited  by  the  later  occurrences  of 
the  day,  was  filled  with  strange  misgivings,  as  he  looked  in  vain  for  the  cus- 
tomary lights  in  the  farm-house.  The  finhing  party  had  never  been  out  so 
late,  and  yet,  at  the  lirst  fall  of  darkness,  th-^v  had  been  accustomed  to  see 
the  place  exhibiting  at  least  one  light;  and  the  absence  ol  this  now  caused 
Collins  heartily  to  wish  himself  in  the  boat,  and  safely  moored  under  cover 
of  the  fort.  Not  tliat  tlie  soldii,-r  was  influenced  by  the  apprehension  of 
personal  danger,  but  because  the  deep  gloom,  the  solitude  and  silence  of  the 
scene,  coupled  with  his  newly-awakened  interest  in  the  almost  ocrpso  that 
lay  in  close  contact  with  his  person,  impressed  him  with  a  sort  of  stipersii- 
tious  feeling,  not  at  all  lea-ened  by  the  knowledge  that  his  only  companion, 
at  that  moment,  belonged  rather  to  the  grave  than  to  the  upper  earth. 

At  length  his  anxiety  was  relieved.    The  sound  of  the  oars,  oautionslj 

paiied,  faintly  met  his  ear,  and  then  the  boat  could  be  indistinctlv  seen 

approaching  itio  canue.     iu  Li.ia  t'.;t;ceetlcil  a  luw  cuii  uttered  by  the  corporal. 

CJoUins  replied  in  a  similar  tone,  and  then  bearing  the  body  of  the  boy,  still 
enveloped  in  the  bear  skin,  ne  in  less  than  a  minute,  rejoined  his  party. 

The  astonishment  of  the  latter  may  be  conceived  on  beholding  so  unex* 
Oected  a  sight,  nor  was  their  feeling  of  awe  diminished  when  their  oomraik 
had  briefly  related  what  had  occurred  since  he  lelt  them, 

"  Siraiige  eniiUi;ii.  I'.i-^."  reinail'ed  t  he  coi'poral  musingly;  "  stranger  still, 
♦bereV  tiM  lluiii  in  lia-  i,uii  e.  It's  neither  too  early  nor  too  luie  foi  tiiat 
I'll  teil  \oii  what,  my  iads,  if  any  thing  has  happtiK  d  ^ve  must  know  "ihe 
wor>)t — i:  will  never  do  to  go  bnck  to  tlie  Fort,  without   i.eiug  able  "o  gi^e 


^ 


^ 


1; 


88 


HAHDSCUABBLE  ;    OU,   THE  FALL  OF  CHICAGO. 


■ome  notion  of  what  took  place  under  our  very  noses." 

"  What  would  Mr.  Ronayne  say,  if  we  did  ?"  added  Jackson 
"  Yes  1  and  what  would  that  sweet  young  lady,  Miss  tleywood,  laink  of  uii, 
if  we  returned  without  giving  some  good  news  of  hot  faikei'v     Why  she 
never  would  look  upon  us  kindly  again." 

"  Right,  Philips,"  said  Weston,  "  and  I'm  sure  I'd  rather  ottend  the  captain 
bimnelf,  any  day,  than  do  anything  to  displease  her.  God  grant  w«  bring 
her  no  bad  news." 

"  Anien,"  said  the  corporal,  gravely,  for  he,  like  Collins,  had  some  strong 
misgivings,  arising  naturally  from  the  utter  darkness  and  silence  that  con- 
tinued to  prevail  in  and  around  the  farm-house.  "Are  you  all  loaded? 
Look  to  your  primings,  but  nia):e  no  noise.  Somebody  must  take  charge  of 
the  boat  though.  Who  volunteers  to  remain,  while  the  rest  follow  me  to  the 
house  ?" 

'*  I  do— rU  remain,"  said  Collins,  "  one  of  you  can  tak^  my  musket." 
"  What,  Coll'ns,  do  you  .shirk  the  thing,"  sneered  the  man  with  the  lon| 
nose  and  the  peaked  thin;  "have  yo:'  had  enough  to-day,  or  do  you  teai 
the  ghost  of  the  fellow  you  knooke<l  over  ?" 

"  I  fear  neither  man  or  ghost,  as  you  well  know,  Nutcrackers,"  wanislj 
rejoined  Collins,  "  but  I  take  it,  there's  no  great  courage  in  making  a  fuiw 
about  going  where  there's  no  enemy  to  be  found.  If  there  has  been  dangei 
in  that  quarter,  I  take  it,  it's  ])assed,  and  as  somebody  must  stop  in  the  boat, 
why  not  me  as  well  as  another  ?" 

"Just  so,"  said  the  corporal.  "Cass,  this  is  no  time  to  run  your  rigs 
You  see  well  enough  that  Collins  wishes  to  stop  behind,  on  pccount  of  the 
boy  he  ho{)es  to  bring  to  life.  Little  ckance  of  that,  I  fear,  but  if  he  ihinki 
so,  it  would  be  unchristian  to  disappoint  him.  And  now  push  otl',  but  mak« 
no  noise." 

The  order  was  obeyed.  In  a  few  minutes  the  bow  of  the  boat  tonched 
the  landing-place,  when  all  but  Collins,  who  was  at  the  helm,  s1ippe<l  noise- 
lessly ashore.  The  corporal  repeated  his  instructions — how  to  act  undei 
emergency  and  if  separated — and  moved  along  the  path  leading  to  ttie  lioutM 
Meanwhile  Collins  pulled  back  into  the  stream,  and  remained  btationary  u 
the  oentr*. 


HARDSCKAlUiLE  ;    OR,    THE   FALL  OF   CniCAUO. 


89 


kof  UM, 


CHAPTER    V. 

Th«  farm-liouse  wns,  aj>  we  Im* c  said,  of  very  rude  construction — such  a 

fc\e  »8  could  only  spri I !{;  up  in  si<  remote  a  rcj^'ion,  and  aiuong  so  sparst;  a 

population.     With  ilie  excepiiou   of  the  roof,  the  frame-work  of  which  had 

'jeen  covered  with  raw  lniiV.ilo  hides,  it  was  built  wholly  of  rough  logs, 

Q«»tcl'.ed  at  the  ends  in  a  fen  <»{'  dove-tail  fasliion,  and  when  not  lying  closely, 

illed  in  with  chunks  of  wood,  over  which  a  rude  plaster  of  mud  had  been 

'.hrown,  so  that  the  wlu/le  was  rendered  almost  impervious  t«)  water,  whil« 

t  ran  little  risk  from  the  agency  of  tire.     It  had  two  rooms  on  the  ground- 

'oor-  -one  smaller  than  the  other,  used  as  a  dormitory,  and  containing  all  the 

Jothes  or  "  traps,"  as  they  desigiated  thorn,  of  the  household.    The  other 

<erved  as  euting-'-oom,  jiarlor,  and  kitchen,  and  extended  over,  at  least,  three- 

"ourths  of  the  area.     It  was  provided  with  two  doors — one  facing  the  river 

\nd  close  to  the  partition  which  divided  the  rooms — the  other  occupying  a 

emottr  position  to  the  rear.     The  wii  dows  of  this  apartment  were  two  in 

\umher,  and,  equi-distaiit  from  the  doors,  were  considerably  elevated  abovo 

lie  floor,     Tlie.sfc  apertures  had  been  formed  by  simply  sawing  a  few  of  the 

ogs,  so  as  to  complete  squares,  irto  which  were  fitted  rude  sashes,  each  con- 

aining  tour  small  panes  of  a  greenish,  and  by  no  means,  transparent  glass, 

.tid  connected  by  strong  leathern  hinges.     In  winter  the  necessary  warmth 

M\s  afforded,  by  shutters  put  up  and  barred  from  within.    The  southern 

^able  or  dormitory,  was  provided  in  the  centre  with  one  window  of  similar 

«ize  and  construction.     The  upp'ir  floor,  a  sort  of  granary  and  depot  for  the 

provisions  of  the  family,  was  ascended  by  nveans  of  a  ladder,  and  through 

a  square  aperture  just  large  enough  to  admit  with  ease  tlie  body  of  a  man. 

There  was,  in  rear  of  the  hou-i^e,  a  rather  extensive  corn-field,  and  beyond 
the  nortLern  gable,  where  the  chi)nney  stood,  an  orchard  yet  in  its  infancy, 
but )  romising  future  abundance,  v  hilc  at  the  opposite,  or  south  end  <»f  the 
buihling,  a  large  but  very  highly  lultivated  garden,  wa.s  now  undergoing  the 
customary  spring  process  of  dii;;.'i.ig  and  maimring,  and  indeed  on  that  very 
morning,  Mr.  lleywuod  h.id  beei  busily  engaged  in  this  occupation  with  the 
btty  Wilton,  his  men  heing  empU  ved,  the  one  in  field  labor,  the  other  as  we 
have  seen,  in  chopping  wood. 

In  the  rear  of  tl  «>  fju-d.ii,  and  opposite  to  the  corn-field,  from  wliich  it 
Was  separated  by  a  !'•  <1  'e.-nli;!.;  to  tho  wood,  \\  as  tolerably  si/eil  barn. 
likevii;;e  constrnciid  o.  i-  .|e  I.  ;.s.  not,  howwt-r,  till  ;i  -i.  The  lower  part 
of  thi-  W;is  Um  (I  a-  a  :l,\:ie;  tl,'.;  upper  or  lot't,  rodeii  with  h.rk,  (M)iitained 
the  l'i"tv.Viiiiig  ,>ea^'^  ui.iiii:-keil  crop  troni  the  corii-lieiii,  N\hilo  coi.l.iguoUS  Ut 


40 


HAIlDSCIlAr.BLE  ;    OR,   THE  FALL  OP  CHICAGO. 


It,  and  to  tlie  rear,  was  another  oblong  square  binlding,  coustructed  in  tne 
fenine  niaiiner,  but  without  loft.  This,  [)artitione.'l  and  covered  simply  witd 
unhewn  Im^'s,  served  not  only  as  a  pen  for  sheep  and  pigs,  but  as  a  roosting- 
place  for  the  fcatliered  portion  of  the  stock. 

The  orcliHid  on  the  one  side,  and  the  garden  on  the  other,  extended  to  tht 
bank  of  tlio  river — a  zig-zag,  or  snake-fence  separating  them  from  the  road, 
n  the  centre  tii  which,  and  \t  about  ten  fett  from  the  door  of  the  dw«!>*»'^r, 
rose  a  majesuc  wjiliiut  tree  then  in  early  blossom.  Immediately  beyorid  tbii 
tree,  was  a  low  enclosure  which  interseated  the  read,  passing  acrnssfroni  th<i 
kitchen-garden  to  the  orchard,  and  forming  the  only  court  or  yard  upon  t!ie 
premises. 

When  Corporal  Nixon,  with  his  little  party,  had  cautiously  n'lvanced  some 
few  paces  towards  the  house,  he  caused  them  to  separate,  Cass  and  JackeioD 
leaping  the  f<nce  which  bounded  the  orchard,  and  Green  and  Pliilips  that 
of  the  gard«n,  while  he  himself,  with  Weston,  pursued  the  pathway  in  front. 
The  better  to  be  prepared  for  any  sixhlen  attack,  bayonets  iuid  been  quietly 
fixed,  and  the  firelocks  at  the  full  cook,  carried  at  the  irail — this  latter  pre- 
caution after  the  deta<hed  tiles  had  cro-sed  the  fences. 

The  night,  as  has  alieady  been  said,  was  very  dark,  and  each  succeeding 
minute  seemed  to  increase  the  obscurity,  so  that  it  was  rather  from  their 
familiarity  with  the  ground,  than  from  any  clear  indication  of  correciiiens 
of  course,  that  the  little  hand  were  enabled  to  preserve  their  nece-sary 
nnity.  At  length  the  tall  shadows  of  tl»e  walnut  tree  came  suddenly  uiion 
the  sight  of  the  corjwral,  but  so  completely  absorbing  was  the  darkness  in  the 
heavier  gloom,  that,  without  being  aware  of  its  proximity,  he  stumbled 
against  the  low  and  slight  enclosure,  which,  yielding  to  the  impetus  of  bis 
motion,  feeble  even  as  that  was,  caused  him  to  fall  forward  on  his  face,  h-is 
musket  dropping  from  his  grasj),  without,  however,  going  olt. 

A  low  growl  from  a  dog  succeeded,  and  Uelore  the  Virginian  could  evec 
make  the  attempt  to  rise,  the  animal  had  sprang  upon  and  fastened  Jiis  teitli 
into  his  shoulder,  shaking  him  so  violently,  that  it  was  not  until  Weston,  wlio 
had  BOW  crossed  the  enclosure,  came  up  to  his  assistance,  guided  by  die 
•ound  of  t,)ie  stiuggle,  that  the  dog  could  be  made  to  relinquish  Ids  hold. 

"Loup  Garou — l.oup  Garou,  old  fellow,  what's  the  matt<^  with  you,"  r-nid 
the  latter  cttaxingly,  as  he  caressed  the  neck  of  the  dog,  wnich  he  had  idenii- 
6ed,  and  now  sought  to  appease. 

Evidently  recognising  a  friend  in  the  utterer  of  his  name,  the  animal 
turned  suddenly  around,  licked  the  hand  of  Weston,  and  then  sent  forth  a 
long  and  piteous  howl. 

"Mercy,  what  is  that?"  suddenly  exclaimed  the  corporal,  who  having 
rcgiUned  hi»  legtt  and  musket,  had  moved  on  a  pace  or  two. 


I. 


ILVUDFCUivimLE  ;    OP,    Tllli   FAIJ-   O.'   (IIICAGO. 


il 


•♦  "Wliero  1  wliat  ?"  asl^ed  Weston,  coming  up  to  his  side. 

lu  ilie  (l;irkiu'>s  before  tliein,  there  was  a  deeper  daiknes!'  that  bore  tlie 
irdi^tiiici  appeaiunce  of  a  huuKiL  t'oriu,  lyi'jg  in  a  stooping  posture  close  to 
the  trunk  of  the  tree. 

A  vague  preseiuiine'it  of  the  trutli  flashed  upon  the  mind  of  the  Virginian, 
wh:>  enjoining  silence  on  liis  companion,  advanced  dose  to  the  object,  and 
laid  his  liand  upon  it.  Tliere  could  be  no  longer  a  doiiht.  Tlie  blanket  co.'it, 
ftud  \vou)lon  ^asli,  which  lie  tlrtt  touched,  and  ilien  the  bhoe  puck,  told  him  in 
onnii.>tnk;:ble  language  that  it  wad  Le  Noir,  the  Canadian  owner  of  tlie  dog. 
He  fhouk  liiii),  and  twice,  in  a  low  voice  called  him  by  name.  IJut  there 
was  no  an-wer,  wliile  the  body  etiiTaud  motionless,  fully  re\ealed  the  fate  of 
t*i.e  unforiunate  man. 

Ideanwhile,  l.ou^^^  CtMrou,  which  hid  followed,  squatted  himself  at  tho'head, 
•Hieh  was  lianuing  over  the  front  of  what  they  knew,  from  itu  haudleti  AoJ 
•Ji«  peculiar  t>dor,  exhaling  troin  it,  to  be  a  whcel-harroA  tulcd  wii./i  u.aiiure, 
ai><l  tlun  cou.menoed  licking — moaning  at  the  fame  time  in  a  low  and  bro- 
ken whiuv". 

"  What  c-.r  the  d'g  meaji  by  that?"  whispered  Weston. 

"  I).. n't  vo'i  hear  him  licking  his  dead  master's  lace.,  and  telling  his  sorrow 
in  his  own  way,"  answi-retl  the  corpoi'al  as,  in  order  to  assiu'e  Inms<.'lf.  he 
droppC'l  his  haiiti'to  ijie  uiouth  of  the  dog ;  but  no  sooner  had  he  done  so, 
than  li-,-  drew  ii  siuMenly  back  with  a  shudder  of  disgust  and  hastily  wi[ted 
it,  rlannny  vilh  llie  blood  tliat  yet  trickled  from  the  scalped  head  of  t)i« 
•iiurilc'ed  irau. 

A  low  wiiisile  was  here  given  on  the  left,  and  a  few  yards  above,  that 
staiik-d  llie  Viriiinian,  for  it  was  tlie  signal  agreed  upon  il  anytliing  >usjii- 
cious,  should  b,' no;  iced  by  the  other  parties.  He  promptly  answered  it  in 
a  (litierent  call,  and  in  another  miimte  Green  and  Philips  had  joined  him. 

"  Wiiat  have  you  stenj"  he  intpiired,  not  regarding  the  exclamatioii  of 
onrprise  of  the  new  comers,  at  the  unexpected  >^iglit  before  them. 

*'  We've  seen  nolhiir  its  so  dark,"  answered  Green,  ''but  unless  the  cattle 
have  ir,ot  into  the  garden,  there's  soniethin'  else  inovin'  there.  Phi.ips  and  I 
list'.iied  «t'ier  we  heard  the  d<  g  howl  the  first  time,  for  we  could  hear  as  If 
p^^'.Kthi:!'  like  .>ieiis  were  sto|iped  suddenly  when  he  sto})ped,  then  wl  an  ho 
u;t?Ui«.ii  the  second  lime  we  listened  again,  and  thought  the  same  thing." 

"Tiu\v  oi-Mii't  be  cattle,"  added  Philips,  '"for  the  cattle  are  all  kept  on  tl»c 
other  si(i'..'' 

*'  Only  the  young  stock,  and  them  as  ain't  used  about  the  farm,"  remarked 
We^-ton. 

"  Well,  but  what  kind  of  stops  were  tliey  ?"  eagerly  (luestioned  the  corjJoraJ, 


I. 


119 


irAitrscitAum,!: ;  ok,  the  rAi.ii  ok  ciiicaoo. 


whose  Imagination  was  filled  not  more  with  the  danger  tliat  seemed  to  b* 
near  thera,  than  with  tlie  censure  of  hiniselt'  he  fe;uvd  lie  sliouM  incur 
on  his  return  to  tlie  fort,  for  having  subjected  the  party  to  risk.  "Siirolj 
you  can  tell  between  the  tread  of  cattle  and  the  8tei)S  of  men." 

"  I  should  say  they  weren't  the  steps  of  cattle ;  they  were  too  light  f»r 
that.  Though  tliey  couldn't  help  crushin'  the  dry  sticks  and  rubbish  they 
couldn't  lielp  seein'  lyin'  in  the  way.    Don't  you  think  so  Philips  ?" 

**  I  did,  corporal,  and  so  sure  did  I  guess  them  to  be  no  cattle  that  it  wm 
me  that  whistled." 

"  Then  tliore's  no  use  in  going  farther,"  remarked  the  Virginia!  gravely. 
"Even  if  we  get  to  the  house,  we  can't  see  anything  in  it  for  the  darkness, 
and  this  poor  fellow  shows  plain  enough  that  it's  to  use  looking  out  to  save 
Mr.  Ileywood  or  Ephraim  Giles.  Come,  my  lads,  we  must  get  back  to  the 
boat,  and  down  stream  as  quick  and  as  quiet  as  we  can." 

Giving  his  own  low  whistle  of  recall,  he  was  answered  from  the  opposite 
direction,  and  in  a  tew  minutes  Oass  and  Jackson  made  their  appearance. 

These  latter  were  brietly  questioned  whether  they  had  seen  anytliing,  and 
great  was  the  anxiety  nf  all  wiic::  it  was  known  that  they  had  also  heard  ia 
the  orchard  but  iu  a  fiiinter  ma  . ^  t  "hat  had  attra-oted  the  attention  of 
Green  and  ]*hilips  in  the  garden. 

"  Why  didn't  yon  give  the  signal  the.;,  a<»  directed?" 

"Beca-ipe,"  answered  Cass,  *' we  weren't  quite  sure  about  it,  a'^d  fearet 
the  whistle  mi^l  t  t'jll  tlie  Injins,  if  any  were  near,  our  whereabouts." 

Sctirce  liad  tins  expiaiiaiion  ijeen  given,  wlica  tne  atteniiunot  all  wm 
ftrrested  by  a  louu  clear  slioiit  of  the  corporals'  name,  evidently  uttered  by 
Collins. 

"Into  the  house — into  the  liouse,"  exclaimed  the  same  voice,  "The 
'.njins  are  creeping  up  to  vi  m." 

As  these  words  came  ringing  upon  the  silence  of  the  night,  the  dull  steps 

n  rapid  advance  through  the  two  enclosures  were  now  distinctly  heard, 

while  the  flash  of  a  gun  fired  in  their  rear,  lighted  up  the  forms  of  three  or 

four  savages,  gliding  up  to  them  by  the  pathway  by  which  the  corporal  had 

oome. 

The  danger  was  imminent,  the  necessity  for  securing  the  important  posi« 
tion  imperative,  and  without  waiting  for  the  order  of  their  superior,  or  even 
uttering  a  word,  tlio  whole  of  the  party,  acting  upon  the  caution  of  Collin», 
made  a  rush  towards  the  front  entrance  of  the  house,  which  tlwy  gained 
at  the  very  moment  when  the  rattling  of  th«j  snake-fences,  and  the  total 
overtiirovv  of  the  slight  enclosure,  announced  that  their  enemies  were  thuf 
near  iu  pursuit. 


nAiri)f*C!:Ar.nT.i: ;  on,  tjie  fall  of  niicAao 


Fnrtu'iiately  the  door  was  Avide  open,  so  that  they  liad  all  ^><»!wot  ip,  w.ifea 
tlie  Iiidiiins  on  eitlier  flank,  as  though  by  previous  arranf,ctnenr,  j)or.red  in 
tlit-'ir  cross  tire,  towards  that  common  centre,  witiiout,  hovrever,  striking  any- 
thing but  the  logs. 

Terrilic  and  continnous  yells  succeeded,  and  well  wfk/  it  that,  with  cool 
promptitude,  the  corporal  liad  sought,  and  found  bel),ndthe  door,  where  he 
knew  they  were  usually  kept,  the  strong  bars,  three  >n  number,  that  secured 
the  heavy  panels,  for  as  many  of  the  Indians  as  could  tind  room  to  act 
together,  now  applied  their  shoulders  to  the  frame  witli  such  violence,  thai 
but  for  those  timely  safegnards,  it  must  have  yiofded.  During  more  than 
five  jniutites  they  porsoveied  in  their  efforts,  the  aion  waiting  anxiously  in 
attitude  of  preparation  for  the  result,  wlien  ah  at  once  tiiey  ceased,  and 
their  footsteps  were  heard  cautiously  retiring. 

"  Quick,  lo<)^  to  the  back-door,  two  of  you,"  'joinmandod  the  corporal  in 
an  enger,  but  low  tone,  "they  are  going  round  tiiere,  if  that  is  not  secured 
wo  are  lost," 

Green  and  PIdlips  sprang  forward  towards  the  point  indicated,  but  the 
latter  in  his  excitement  stumbled  heavily  agn:  ist  something,  and  fell  at  his 
leni,'th  upon  tlie  floor,  exclaiming:  '' I'vo  fallen  over  a  dead  man,  and  am 
half  drowned  in  his  blood." 

His  companion  who  had  escaped  this  obstruction,  had  scarcely  time  to 
•fisure  tlie  coi-[K)ral  that  the  back  door  was  already  barred,  a  fact  which 
\\e  had  di>(>ov».-ied  by  dint  of  feeling,  when  the  latch  was  fir.st  hoard  gently 
tried,  then  the  door  violt^tly  assaulted.  Another  loud  and  angry  jell  from 
the  Indians  announced  their  disappointment,  then  several  shots  were  flre<l 
at  the  dt)or,  and  two  or  three  balls  could  be  heard  drojjping  and  rolling  upon 
the  floor,  after  havir.g  passed  through  the  heavy  planks. 

"Safe  enough  now  for  a  while,  my  lads,"  said  the  corporal  exult iigly, 
"and  we  can  have  a  little  breathing  time.  Who's  got  the  means  of  striking 
%  light,  that  we  may  see  where  we  are,  and  what  we're  about?" 

"I  have,"  answered  Green,  as  taking  a  flint,  steel,  and  tinder  from  hii 

Docket,  he.  with  a  couple  of  strokes,  itrnitod  the  l.itfor,  and  approached  th« 

beultli,  wiiieli  :Ik;  laiui  ligliL  I'rom  the  burning  "puni;  ''  cnab;e(l  him  to  reacti. 

The  fire  had  long  .-^ince  gone  out,  but  the  crisp  and  bhickened  embers,  soon 
grew  under  the  caio  of  the  soldier  into  light  sutlicient  to  render  objects  in 
the  apartment  graduiUy  more  and  iiore  distingui-^hable. 

While  this  process*  was  going  on,  the  rest,  leaning  on  their  muskets,  were 
anxiously  grouped  around  the  spot  where  Philips  had  fallen.  At  first,  only 
the  outline  of  a  man  of  large  stature  and  proportions  coidd  be  seen  lying  in  4 
cramued  position,  as  if  produced  by  some  strong  ccuvuUive  agony,  and  ihco 


44 


nAnDSCPAUTJLE  ;    OR,    THE   FALL   OF  CniCicO. 


when  tlie  fire  began  to  kiiullo  and  crackle,  the  dress  couhl  be  dist'ngnislicd, 
and  tlien  as  the  Hglit  grew  brighter,  the  scalpless  heud,  and  then  the  marked 
and  distorted  features  of  the  murdered  master  of  the  hou^o,  who  lay  in  a 
pool  of  blood  that  slowly  trickled  along  the  crevices  of  the  floor.  His  hands 
were  firndy  clenchtd  upon  the  barrel  of  a  rifle  which  liad  been  broken  olf  at 
the  stock,  that  now  lay  a  few  yarda  beyond,  while  the  features,  sternly  set 
ia  death,  bore  a  mingled  expression  of  defiance  and  resoKition.  A  cut,  aa 
from  a  tomahawk  had  laid  open  his  left  temple,  while  on  several  parts  of 
his  body  could  be  seen  thick  encrustations  of  blood  that  had  exuded  through 
the  rent  clothing,  marking  the  seat  of  several  stabs  and  gunshot  wounds. 
It  was  evident  that  Mr.  Ileywood  had  not  lost  his  life  without  a  desperate 
8tru}.'gle,  for  independantly  of  the  testimony  aflfbrded  by  his  broken  rifle, 
which  he  seemed  to  have  used  with  fierce  determination,  the  heavy  table 
had  been  overthrown,  and  the  few  articles  of  necessary  furniture  in  the 
room  evidently  displaced. 

"  What  a  tale,  this,  to  carry  back,"  gravely  remarked  Weston.  "  I  wouldn't 
take  the  cori)oi  al's  stripes  to-morrow,  and  be  the  first  man  to  tell  Miss  Hey- 
wood  o(  it." 

"  Supposing  we  get  back  at  all,"  said  Oass.  »'  Though  we're  safe  enough 
for  the  present,  I've  no  notion  the=e  devil*  will  let  us  oflf  so  soon." 

"  There's  no  great  danger  now,"  interrupted  the  corporal.  "  I  defy  them, 
If  they're  not  stronger  tiian  we  saw  them  this  morning,  to  get  into  the  house, 
with  six  good  firelocks  to  defend  it." 

"  But  they  nuiy  set  fire  to  it,  and  \  v.vn  us  out,"  persevered  the  apprehen- 
live  man  with  the  hooked  nose  and  the  peaked  chin ;  "  I've  heard  of  those 
things  before." 

'*  l)urn  yoiu*  granny  out,  Nutcrackers;  look  at  them  logs  well,  and  say  if 
It  would'nt  take  hell-fire  itself  to  burn  'em  through  in  a  month,  but  corporal, 
had'nt  we  better  divide  the  amumnition.  We  don't  know,  as  Cass  says,  what 
the  imps  are  about,  and  what  trouble  they  may  give  us  yet." 

"  liiglit,  Green,  there's  nothing  like  being  on  the  sure  side,  and  so,  my  lads 
looV  ;■)  the  pouches.  Weston,  there's  a  candle  in  tliat  stone  bottle  on  the 
ehclt — light  it,  and  put  it  on  the  table  as  soon  as  you  have  got  that  on  its 
legs  again." 

The  exandnation  was  soon  made.  Each  small  cartouche  box,  expressly 
made  for  light,  excursions,  contained,  with  the  exception  of  the  single  cart« 
ridge  which  Collins  had  fired,  the  usual  allowance  of  fifteen  rounds.  Two 
of  these  however — those  of  Green  and  Philips — had  been  so  saturated  by 
long  iminersiof.  in  the  water,  that  they  were  wholly  unserviceable.  They 
were  thereibre  emptied  and  d'ied,  and   the  deficiency  supplied  frouj  the 


ir  \Tus('i.  Ai'.r.i.K  ,   oij,   rm;  I'Ai.r,  or-  c:  iwoo. 


4.^ 


poaclic-s  of  tljeir  coinru(le-»,  thus  leaving  alxMit  u  <l<i/-tn  cliarges  t .»  r&ei 
inait. 

'*  A  siiiiil!  stock  of  amir'itiifioii.  tlii>,  I  gnes-i,  to  .stiiiul  ;i  long  ^ii'^u  '.m  an 
•nij)!}'  l»i.l]y,"  drawled  tcrth  ^'ass. 

"Jii.-t  like  you — ;d\vavs  cruakin',"  sneered  Green,  "and  always  tldnkin' 
oi  \<»iir  bellv.  AYIiv  man,  vou've  more  aiiimuiiition  tlure,  J  take  ii,  liiHU 
♦ver  voirll  tire  awav  in  your  life." 

"  And  if  we  liaven't  enough,"  said  the  corporal,  poing  to,  and  tnkinff  down 
ftnd  ^hiking  a  powder  iiorn,  which  hung  suspended  from  the  wall,  thai  Ivii 
evidfctlv  been  overlooked  by  the  Indians,  "here  n,e  a  dozen  nioj-e  cliHr:.'-e!« 
at  least,  and  the  balls  of  the  cartri(!ges  liave  not,  I  lake  it,  lo-t  their  power 
to  drill  a  lude  into  a  fellow  because  they've  been  considerably  well  duckci!. 
Ijiit  hark  I  what  noise  is  that — listen  !" 

A  low,  grating  sound,  as  of  some  heavy  body  rubbing  against  the  ground, 
wa-i  n«)\v  audible  at  short  intervals,  and  seemed  to  proceed  from  the  MHithirn 
gahh — but  not  a  voice  was  heard.  Fnmt  the  moment  when  they  iiad  littered 
their  cry  of  <li.-appointment,  on  finding  the  back  entrance  secured,  the  Indians 
had  preser\ed  the  utmost  silence. 

Suddenly  a  yell,  pealed  from  the  direction  of  the  river,  caused  them  for 
the  first  lime  to  revert  to  tlie  exposed  position  of  the  unforti;nate  Collins. 

"  Poor  fellow,'' said  Green,  dashing  away  a  tear.  "I  wi^h  he  w^is  with 
us.  S»!nehow  or  other,  I  feel  as  if  we  should  all  have  a  better  chance  in  a 
fight,  were  that  lad  in  uJie  middle  of  it." 

"  We  shall  never  see  him  n)ore!"  gravely  t  bservod  the  Virginian  ;  ''  thai 
shot  filed  ji:st  after  lie  warned  us,  did  his  business,  depend  upon  ir,  and  if 
that  one  didn't,  it  is  not  likely  the  blood-hounds  wotdd  let  him  oil,  aft<r 
rolibitig  them  c!  their  prey:  no,  no,  poor  Collins  has  lost  his  lite  in  saving  u<." 

AL'^ain  the  yell  was  re[ieated,  and  from  the  same  quarter.  The  c<.rporai 
sjiraiig  to  the  ladder  which  communicated  with  the  loft,  and  having  plawo' 
il  under  the  window  on  the  front,  hastily  ascended  and  looked  out,  for  nc 
one  had  lii:!ierto  thought  of  closing  an  opening,  from  which  no  daiigir  was 
M-i  niinijly,  to  he  api)rehe:;d.ed. 

The  darkness  which  had  beer  «o  excessive  at  the  moment  of  their  entrance, 
liad  greatly  diiidnished — so  much  so,  thai  he  could  trace  the  forms  of  two  oi 
three  of  the  warriors  who  weie  stooping  lew,  anparentlv  esgaged  wi:h  som« 
olject  lying  on  tlie  very  bank  of  the  river. 

"Scalping  and  mutilating  the  poor  fellow,  no  douht,"  he  muttered  fi-jrcel^ 
to  himsi-lf,  "bnt  here  goes  to  reveiig-  him  !" 

Forgetting  his  usual  [)rudence,  he,  in  the  strong  excitement  of  the  iuoirent. 
drew  up  the  butt  of  his  musket  to  his  r-houlder,  and  as  well  aa  his  ciuiiipe<l 


id 


ITAHnS(  HAniU.K  :    OK,    TOE   FALL  OK  CHICAGO. 


position  would  permit,  covered  one  of  tlie  snvaires,  but  while  in  the  very 
act  of  pulling  tlic  triirgcr,  tlioy  all  fell  prostrate,  and  the  bullet  -.vhizzed 
lirtrinlossly  over  tlieiii.  In  tlie  next  instant  a  ball,  aimed  at  himself,  hud  fired 
fruin  juiother  (iiiarter,  pas-ed  throucli  the  window,  grazing  tho  shoulder 
eliplitly  biiten  liy  I.oii|i  Garou,  and  lod^'ed  in  tlie  oi»posite  logs  of  fhe  r<>oin, 
A  third  loud  yell  followed  as  the  corporal  drew  in  his  head  and  disappeared 
from  the  window.  'Ihe  Indians  evidently  thouglit  he  had  been  hit,  and  Uitu 
fftve  iiti«irnn(('  to  tln'ii"  ti'inmi»h. 

** There's  that  grating  •oiind  ngnin,"  remarked  Weston. 

All  now  li-tetud,  and  heard  much  more  distinctly  than  before  the  jiecidia? 
■oand.  Then  followed  a  so:  atching  and  bumi)!ng  of  sometliing  heavy  iigainsi 
the  en<l  of  the  house. 

"J  have  it,"  sjiid  the  Virginian.  "They've  di'agge<l  the  ladder  from  tli« 
burn,  and  are  living  to  fix  ii  under  the  bed-room  window.  Cass,  do  you 
and  Philip^-,  go  in  and  see  wiiat  they're  doing.  Hut  close  the  door  after  you 
tliat  they  may  not  i)icU  you  olY  by  the  light." 

Tiie  door  was  cautiously  opened  and  again  shut  as  soon  as  the  men  had 
entered.  They  looked  up  at  the  window,  which,  in  the  darkness  that  pre- 
vailed around,  was  distinctly  enough  visible,  but  although  open,  nothing  met 
their  glance  of  a  nature  to  startle  them,  nor  could  any  movement  be  iieard 
without. 

"  Hold  my  firelock,"  whispered  Cass  to  his  companion,  "while  I  try  and 
get  a  look  out.  I  know  poor  Le  Noir's  bed  is  directly  under  the  window, 
and  1  don't  think  t/iut  is  too  high,  if  I  stand  on  the  pillow." 

He  now  cautiously  groped  his  way  to  the  bed,  on  ascending  which,  being 
a  tall  man,  he  i'ouiid  the  top  of  his  head  to  be  on  a  level  with  the  sill  of  the 
window.  This  was  not  sufficient  for  his  purpose,  and  he  nought  to  elevate 
himself  still  more.  In  attempting,  Aiih  this  view,  to  ])lace  himself  on  the 
In  ad-l.'oard,  he  missed  his  footing,  and  fell  with  some  force  between  the  hea<l 
of  the  bed,  and  the  rude  log  wall.  To  his  dismay,  he  found  that  his  feet  had 
re-;ted  not  upon  the  hard  tloor  of  the  apartment,  bui  upon  s<^metliing  soft 
And  yielding,  which  his  imagination,  strongly  excited  by  the  events  of  th« 
day,  led  him  uidiesftatingly  to  conclude,  was  the  flesh  of  .-*  iium.an  body. 

"  A  li^rht,  corporal — a  light!"  he  shouted,  regardless  of  every  thing,  but 
hia  desire  to  release  himself  from  his  present  situation.  "  Bring  a  light. 
Here's  a  fellow  who  has  got  hold  of  me  by  the  leg  1" 

"  Take  your  musket  then  and  bayonet  him,"  said  Philips,  coolly,  as  h« 
pushed  towards  the  struggling  man  the  butt  end  of  his  firelock,  which  nl 
\engh  reached  his  hands.  At  the  same  time.  Corporal  Nixon,  rendered 
equally  imprudent  by  the  suddenuess  of  the  demand  for  his  presence,  eii':tred, 
followed  t>y  Weston,  bearing  the  candle. 


I 


f 


IX^ 


nAnusruAHBT-E  ;  oit,  niK  fat.i.  of  oiiicaoo. 


17 


CHAPTER    Y  I . 


NoTiiiNQ  can,  we  conceive,  be  hi  worse  taste  In  a  fu.aiiious  narrative-,  tliart 
the  wanton  introduction  of  tlio  ludicrous  upon  the  solemn,  l^ut  \vln'[i  in  an 
liistorical  tale  tlie>e  extremes  do  occur,  fidelity  forbids  the  sup|)re-^sio!i  ot'  tha 
one,  lot  it  sliould  mar  tlie  ellect  of  the  other.  Such  is  the  n(.'ces>iry  under 
wliich  we  find  ourselves. 

The  first  act  of  the  corporal,  on  pee;  icf  how  matters  stood,  was  to  puU 
tack  tlie  bt'ds'ead  bcliind  which  Ca-s  was  imprisoi^ed,  so  a->  v.holly  to  uncover 
li»m  and  his  a>-ail:int,  but  the  '■urpiisf  of  all  may  be  ii.iatriiu-d,  when,  in-tead 
of  an  Indian,  witli  whom  they  belie. ed  him  to  be  stru^i.din;.'',  tiiey  beheld  ao 
ituiiieiiHe  turW^y-coik,  well  ku(»wn  to  them  all,  whi.^h  was  t»aitlv  ur.<ler  th« 
/(M.t  1)1  tliL- soldur — partly  in  ii  Ixiardcd  drain  or  resirvoir/^  winch  pa-^-d  'r>  ;.. 
the  a[»;irtment  into  a  larj^'e  1m),i;  truuirh,  that  lay  aloiiir  the  widl  and  daily 
received  the  refuse  of  the  various  meals.  The  bird,  furious  with  paiti.  was 
burying  its  licak  into  the  leg  of  the  scddiei",  wJiile  he,  \\i;li  'he  butt  end  of 
his  musket  aloft,  and  the  bayonet  depressed,  otlVred  the  most  burleM|na 
representation  of  6t.  George  preparing  to  give  his  mortal  thrust  to  th« 
ilrsj'oti. 

In  i*\ntc  of  tlie  danger  by  which  they  were  beset,  it  was  impossible  for  th« 
men  to  restrain  tlie  indiilgence  of  their  humor  at  this  siuL'tdar  sight,  nor 
war-  the  disposition  at  all  checked,  when  they  saw  the  bayonet  descni<!  atid 
Hciua'ly  transfix  the  intruder  to  the  floor — causing  him  to  droop  his  heftd, 
ai:d  thus  tree  Cass  from  his  furious  attacks. 

"  If  tliat's  the  way  you  kill  your  enendes,  Ntitcrackers,  we  promise  to  eat 
ihem  up  for  yon — as  many  as  you  like,"  and  as  he  siioke,  (Treeti  advanced 
And  seized  the  ilyimr  bird  by  the  throat;  but  as  he  pulled  it  suddenly  away, 
a  <lark  human   hand  was  observed  to  relinquish  its  lirold  of  the  feet,  and 


rapidiy  disappear. 

The  miith  of  the  nion  was  now 
occasion,  for  it  wa-;  clear  to  all  that 


]Ulr- 

succeeded  by  a  serion>ness  l)efittii\g  tho 
occurrence,  absurd  as  it  wu-,  had 
been  the  means  of  betraying  a  new  plan  of  the  enemy  to  get  into  the  hou  e. 
It  t!ie  diain  was  large  enough  to  admit  of  tlie  passage  of  the  bird — always 
rriiiarkable  for  its  size — it  was  hiirhly  possible  that  some  of  the  more  ^!ighl:y 
1"'i-iiie(l  hulians,  miglit  force  their  way  through  it  also.  Tliey  had  evidriitly 
ined  ti)  see  if  it  coidd  be  done — the  turkey-cock  having  been  put  forutirii  as 
A  "  feeler,''  and  th«  necessity  of  either  dosing  iJie  av 
...teugth  by  kee[)inL^  a  luaii  constantly  on  ilie  watch, 


enue,  or  weuke!:iiig  tl.eir 
b 


was  now  olivioii 


P'muI  something  to  stop  up  that  hole  with  Ca-s,"  ordered  the  corjM)rai. 
i   cau  see   nothing,"  replied   the  other,  after  a  few   moments  seurcli, 


I 


:  ! 
t 


• 


: 


4b 


JIAUDSLKAJJIiI.K  ;     OK,    Till;    KaM,   OF   CHICAOO 


**  unless  we  slui»  it  witli  the  bedding." 

"  A  wise  plan  that.     Tiio  Idjins  would  soon  set  (Ire  to  it,  and  if  tliey  didn't 
burn  iis  oiu,  tiiey  would  soon  sniuke  us  out.     Either  would  suit   tlieir  pur 
pose." 

"  Let  him  stijflTit  with  hi.s  head,  coipnral,''  interposed  Green,  "I'm  pure 
that's  thick  enough  for  a  j'luj^." 

"Perhaps  there's  ahead  in  it  already,"  suggested  Philips,  "  there  was  a 
hand  just  now — the  ntiier  may  have  followcil." 

"  By  jingo  ril  try,"  rerurned  Green,  "  I'd  give  a  week's  grog  to  be  able  to 
prick  a  filler  with  this  playthin'." 

So  saying,  he  knelt  upon  tlie  tloor,  and  holding'  his  musket  in  a  horizontai 
position,  a  lew  inclies  above  ir,  lie  gave  a  furious  thrtist  into  the  apnrture. 
To  his  astonishment,  for  notwithstanding  his  h:df  bravado,  he  had  not  seriousjj 
•iiticipated  such  a  result,  he  found  the  advance  of  lii>!  weapon  slightly 
arrested  'oy  a  yiehliug  body,  and  even  had  not  a  .-liai-p  cry  of  pain  f.-om  the 
other  extremity  of  the  trough,  sati>fied  liim  of  the  f;ict,  the  peculiar  sensation 
he  experienced  as  the  steel  overcame  the  resistance  wiis  sutlicieiit  to  i-ouviuee 
Green,  little  acrustome<l  even  as  he  had  been  to  h.-iyouet  men,  that  the  bay- 
oiift  had.  entered  into  some  soft  parr  ot"  the  hv.mau  ln.dy. 

To  tbt'  cry  of  the  wounded  man.  sncceeded  a  savai^e  and  threat eoing  yell 
from  tfie>  united  ba'id,  aud  now  re-corr.menoed  the  jrrariui^'  sound  which  had 
two  or  thrt'o  tiiii<>s  before  excited  the  conjectures  of  the  bi-siegcd. 

"Ah!  yell  away  you  devils;  that's  all  the  pood  you'll  get,"  exclaimed 
Green,  exulting  .it  his  success;  "  but  don't  take  so  tig!it  a  grip  of  my  bay- 
onet. I  say,  Philips,  lend  us  a  hand,  if  I  shan't  lose  my  mu>ket  with  that 
fellow  strugglin'  like  a  speared  Mascalinga." 

Both  now  pulh'd  at  the  firelock,  with  all  their  strength.  Suddenly  tbt 
resistance  cea  ed,  and  they  fell  sideways  on  the  floor,  bringing  the  mu-kei 
with  tiiem,  but  without  the  bayonet.  At  the  same  moment  a  shot  was  fireU 
Into  the  aperture,  and  the  ball  wliizzing  by  the  ear  of  Philips,  uiid  passii!}( 
through  Green's  right  h'g.  lodged  iu  the  partition  beyond. 

"Stand  aside,  men,"  shouted  the  corporal,  "stand  from  before  that  hole, 
or  we  shall  be  marks  in  this  light  for  the  skulking  villains." 

Jackson,  who  had  been  dispatched  for  one  of  the  small  ronnd  hickory  logs 
that  lay  piled  up  in  a  corner  near  the  chimney,  now  approached  with  one 
that  was  jnst  large  enough  to  fit  tightly  in  the  aj)erture.  All  seized  ir,  and 
taking  the  precaution  to  keep  their  legs  out  of  danger,  jamuied  one  end  into 
the  mouth  of  the  drain,  adding  afterwards  a  few  heavy  blows  from  tlie  axes 
of  Le  Noil'  and  Ephraim  Giles,  which  had  been  ^ouud  in  a  corner  of  th« 
room. 

"Now  then,**  said  the  Virginian,  after  having  examined  the  small  windoMl 


li  • 


i\ 


u 


llAUnS(  RAIJIU.K  ;    OH.     I'lIK    lAI.I.   OK   CUICAOO. 


40 


tbt 
-k«i 


xes 

tlitt 


of  tlio  bcd-ronni,  atul  secnirely  fasffriod  tlie  shr  .tor — "  we've  not  much  mopb 
to  fear.  Tliey're  two  to  one  its  true,  but  I  dny  tliein  to  do  as  mucli  liarni 
before  (luyli^jlit,  wlion.  I  take  it  tliey'll  be  off,  if  not  sooner." 

"  Well,  tli«n,  corpo:  al,"  sufjfjested  Giet'O,  •'  I  vote  that  as  we're  j>retty  snfe, 
and  have  yet  tliat  piece  of  plunder,  we  set  to  work  and  cook  it,  fur  Tim  dw- 


ilish  hiintri 


I  think 


^t  all  l). 


hain't  had 


?,  seeing  as  now 

regular  meal  the  wlmle  day,  besides  if  we  rutniiiage  the  place,  we  may  chunce 
to  light  upon  sotnetliiii'  else.  I  see  tlie  vanniiit  have  carried  oft'  the  nii « 
row  of  venison  hamo  that  used  to  hang  up  round  the  cliiinnej,  butthere  may 
be  soinethin'  in  the  loft." 

"  No  bad  thought  that  of  your?,  Green,"  answered  the  corporal,  "  Casa, 
you  killed  the  bird,  you  must  pluck  it  and  grill  it." 

"  That's  what  I  call  taking  it  sensibly,"  said  the  latter,  leaning  his  innsket 
against  the  wall,  and  dragging  tlie  licavy  turkey  to  the  kitchen-corner,  where 
leated  on  the  very  chair  on  which  poor  Mr.  Ileywood  had  smoked  his  last 
pipe,  he  comiiienced  plucking  out  the  featliers  by  handfids.  "  Let  fasiing 
without,  and  feasting  within  be  the  word ;  but  its  mortal  dry  eating  that  great 
he  turkey,  without  sttnetliing  to  wash  it  down.  1  say.  Philips,  you  are  a 
good  hand  at  foraging — don't  you  think  you  could  find  out  a  little  of  the 
Wabash  there,"  and  he  ])ointed  to  the  loft. 

Philips  approacht'd  tlie  ladder  with  the  intention  of  making  a  search,  but 
the  Virginian  checked  him. 

**8top  a  moment,"  lie  said,  "until  I  have  had  another  look  out  in  front." 
Thus  saying  he  cautiously  ascended  to  his  former  position,  the  view  from 
which  was  mucli  less  indistinct  th.in  before.  Tlie  obscurity  had,  in  a  great 
degree,  passed  away,  so  much  so,  that  all  objects  within  the  area  funned  by 
the  enclosares  of  the  garden  and  the  orchard  were  thrown  into  perceptible 
relief.  His  first  thoiiglit  was  to  cast  his  glance  upon  the  water,  h'  ping,  hi 
scarcely  knew  why,  that  something  might  be  seen  of  the  skirt'  wl'ich  had 
contained  the  unfortunate  Collins.  I)isai)pointed  in  that  quarter,  his  eve 
next  turned  upon  the  walnut  tree,  the  white  blossoms  of  which  luid  (lropi>«^d 
ftronnd  and  upon  the  spot,  where  lay  the  body  of  the  iL-fated  I.o  Noir,  at 
whose  head  was  sMll  squatted,  as  when  he  had  loft  him,  his  faithful  dog 
17iero  was  much  in  this  trait  of  devotion  on  the  part  of  the  animal  whicib 
could  uot  fail  to  awaken  sympathy  even  in  the  roughest  heart,  and  al; hough 
the  corporal  was  not  particularly  sentimental,  ho  could  not  but  be  deeply 
touched  by  the  contrast  forced  upon  him,  between  the  moaning  ar'^n'*  and 
thp  wild  lust  for  blood  which  reigned  in  the  hearts  of  their  nuju'ovoked 
•ssailants.  Ilis  first  impulse  was  to  call  approvingly  to  the  dog,  but  the 
next  moment's  reflection  on  the  folly  of  such  a  proceeding;  stifled  the  impulse. 


U! 


80 


1IAIJI>SCI{A!I1I-! 


Oil,  Ti;;;  fali,  ok  (  mm  < cm. 


Theti  Ills  ftftc;iti"n  '.v:t^  cancfl  not  only  t.t  tin-  i.<t;.  .",  \\,,\i',  .niiy  fr<xn  TiirthoT 
oiitrn^'o  <i!"  the  \if:tni\  ntul  hiR  f-ijlowc-.  '•;;?  '■•.'.  the  f"'';!!)!)!!;!  >i!o:i('i:.,  .Miifl 
»l>!*^iiro  of  (!.'ir;ror  which  f^et'incil  to  ox  ■■■  in  tii;i(  •jn.-irtrr.  Th;it  fh«  Ini!i;in)i 
liJitl  not  (le^'Jirli'il.  nltliuii:,'li  iliey  I. at!  Ui  '  hi'vii  hctinl  siiico  the  ytll  lhu»  hil- 
lowed  the  cry  pi-o(liice<l  hy  the  thrust  fr,  n  Green's  hayoDet,  hi;  I'elt  contulent, 
niu\  it  now  soeiiied  to  him  that  they  iniit  be  directing  their  efforts  against 
noine  j)ther  part  of  the  buihling. 

No  sooner  had  he  admitted  this  last  ^'?Hef,  than  he  ntrain  descended,  and 
raihin^  tlie  ladder  liimself,  bore  it  noisei.ssly  to  the  spot  whence  it  had  been 
removed,  then  ordering  the  candle  to  bo  extinguished,  and  the  eml)ers  to  bo 
drawn  together,  so  as  to  deaden  the  "i^lit  of  the  fire,  ho  with  Green  and 
Weston  crept  up  the  ladder,  Cass  being  left  to  complete  the  prei)aratic)n  o*" 
the  ttirkey  the  best  way  he  could,  while  PIdlips  and  Jackson,  posted  at  tho 
back  and  frt)nt  doors,  listened  attentively  for  the  slightest  sound  of  danger, 
which  being  heard,  they  were  at  once  t(   warn  the  i)arty  above. 

When  the  c<)rporal  had  gained  the  toi.  of  the  ladder,  Green,  who  was  th« 
last,  having  his  foot  on  the  first  step,  the  former  was  evidently  startled  by 
some  new  danger.  But  just  as  he  was  in  tlieact  of  springing  to  the  upper 
floor,  the  ladder,  loo  frail  to  sustain  th.-ir  united  weight,  snapped  suddenly 
asunder  in  the  middle,  and  fell  with  souiq  nuise,  thus  separating  liiin  t'roiu 
his  companions. 

Regardless  of  this,  and  having  secured  his  own  footing,  he  now  moved 
cautiously  towards  the  opposite  end  of  tiie  loft,  where  a  i^mall  uper.Ii:g,  about 
two  feet  in  length,  and  one  in  height,  seemingly  intended  as  a  ventilator, 
appeared  nenrly  vertical  to  the  windov/  of  the  bed-room  below.  Casting 
his  glance  downwards  through  the  o;  ening,  he  beheld  five  or  six  savages 
standing  grouped  together,  leaning  on  viieir  guns,  and  apparently  watching 
Boine  object  above  thetn.  This,  naturally,  drew  llie  corporal's  attention  to 
the  same  quarter,  when  to  his  dismay  hn  found  that  the  loiig  l-a<Ider  u>ual".y 
kept  at  the  barn  was  now  resting  against  the  gable  of  the  house,  not  time 
feet  from  the  right  corner  of  the  aperture,  through  which  he  gazed.  In  fin 
instant  it  occiuTed  to  him  that  this  had  been  the  work  of  the  Indians,  and  at 
once  accounted  for  the  grating  sounds  iliat  had  so  often  met  his  ears  that; 
night.  Tnere  con  d  be  no  doubt  that  the  plan  of  the  enemy  now  wm 
'o  '^nter  <he  roof.  Mrljich  ''ould  be  done  hv  reinovitig  rftrt  of  the  raw  buffclc 
biaM  ot  wnicti  it  was  cmnpiwed.  Inde.nl  it  was  a  slight  noise  made  in  th> 
direction  of  tliat  very  angle  of  the  roc  i'  where  the  ladder  now  stotxl,  that 
had  caught  his  attention  on  first  putrJ  i,?  his  head  tlii'ough  the  apertur* 
wliiie  [)receeding  his  men.  This  had  sm  denly  cea<ed  at  the  moment  when 
tUti  ladder  broke  aud  fell,  nor  had  there  been  a  repetition  of  the  soui.ui. 


^ 


JiAUPscuAiim.E  ;   (HI,  Tin:  kat.t,  of  (  hi  ago 


at 


('.•fv.n  HirthoT 
>i!i';)i't',  iiikI 

.  the  Irxii.'iiis 
til  tliiif   t'-i- 

'It  conthloiit, 

rurf.s  against 


icendid,  nnd 
I  it  iiad  beiMi 
iinlicrs  to  be 
li  Green  nnd 
iparation  o' 
osted  at  tha 
d  of  danger, 

vho  Ava»  the 

'  startled  by 
to  the  upper 
ted  suddenly 
g  him  troiu 

now  moved 

er.Irig,  about 

1  ventilator, 

w.     Casting 

six  savaire^ 

ly  \vatcliinj» 

attention  to 

!der  u>Uiil'.y 

so,  not  tlrte 

zed.     lu  fin 

ians,  and  at 

s  ears  that; 

y  now  wiu 

raw  buffftic 

made  in  lh-> 

stood,  that 

he  apeitnr* 

Mient  when 

the  soui.id. 


■ 


I 


Blill,  sati-ified  that  siwne  diMinvery  i>f  the  true  do>ipii»  <•('  tno  Indinnji  w.tuM 
reHi.'li  fioni  Ills  reiiiaiiiiiij,,'  a  little  hmger,  ho  continued  n\  the  openinir,  \vhi«'h 
WHS  too  ftiiuiU  to  betray  iiid  presence  if  usin^  precaiiiion,  while  it  enabli'd 
him  to  observe  tho  nujveinentM  of  the  enemy.  Soon  afterwards  he  heurd 
tbeni  speaking  in  earnest  btu  low  tones,  hs  if  addressing  Kon.obody  abi've 
tliein,  and  tiu-n  a  prolongi'd  yell,  which  wat  answered  by  others  tVutn  t'le 
front  of  the  house,  echoed  tlirougli  the  surrounding  forest.s.  Even  amid  tha 
horrid  discord,  tho  quick  ear  of  the  Vii^inian,  now  painfully  on  the  str.ich, 
caught  the  s^anie  sound  that  had  first  attracted  his  attention.  It  was  exactly 
At  the  angle  of  the  roof,  and  only  a  pace  or  two  from  him.  The  peculiar 
noise  was  not  to  be  mistaken  even  by  an  unpractised  oar.  It  was,  evidmily 
that  of  a  knife,  not  very  sharp,  cautiously  cutting  through  a  tough  and  re>ist- 
iug  leather. 

The  corporal  became  now  more  anxious  than  ever,  but  this  feeling  did  not 
in  the  slightest  degree,  dibiurb  his  8eIf-poRses>ion,  or  cause  him  to  waver  i:i 
the  resolution  he  had  from  the  first  adopted.  lie  wailed  ptlicntly,  until,  tu 
he  expected,  he  heard  a  corner  of  one  of  the  buflfalo  hides  tiirned.  up,  and 
beheld  reflected,  against  the  back-ground  of  light  thus  suddenly  introduced, 
the  upper  part  of  a  human  being,  who-e  shorn  head,  covered  on  the  crown 
■with  straight  and  slightly  streaming  feathers,  too  phiinly  indicated  his  purpose. 
"Wliat  a  target  lor  the  buiiet — what  an  object  for  tlie  bayonet  of  the  soidter, 
who,  had  not  prudence  and  coolness  interposed,  had  certaiidy  used  one  or  tl;« 
other.  But  the  Virginian  had  hit  u[)on  another,  and  as  he  conceived,  a  bettei 
plan  to  get  rid  of  his  enewy,  and  in  his  fate,  of  further  probable  annoyanc« 
from  his  ferocious  companions.  It  was  not  his  object  that  the  Indians  shouW 
even  suspect  that  they  had  been  detected  in  this  nev,- device,  for  he  was  well 
aware  that  if  he  fired,  or  used  his  bayonet  again.-t  the  man,  those  below 
woidd  rush  up  the  ladder  to  succeed  him,  and  by  their  weight  prevent  tht 
accomplishment  of  what  he  had  in  view;  therefore,  cut  olf,  as  he  in  « 
measure  was,  from  his  party,  it  was  incumbent  on  him  to  adoi>t  the  onlj 
sure  means  of  relief  from  danger,  and  that  without  a  moment  of  delay. 

While  the  Indian,  wlio  finding,  evidently,  that  the  orifice  he  had  Piade  in 
the  roof  was  not  yet  large  ehougii  for  his  purpose,  had  dropped  the  incised 
portion  of  the  hide,  and  was  again,  using  his  knife ;  the  Virginian,  stooping 
ilightly  at  the  off-side  of  the  v.indow,  a-^certaiue^l  that  the  feet  of  the  former 
were  resting  on  one  of  the  u[)per  steps  of  the  ladder.  This  wa?  what  he 
Uesn'ed,  and  all  he  now  wanted  was  a  hard,  flat  substance  to  fasten  on  th« 
point  of  his  bay(;noc.  After  reli*e(ting  vainly  f(»r  a  few  inoments  how  thit 
was  to  be  a.. lined,  he  suddenly  bethought  hi;n  of  his  thick-soled  ammnni- 
tion-boots.    Removing  oae  of  these  without  noise,  he  pierced  the  iniMf 


tts 


61 


HAitDsrnArni.i; ,   oh,  tiu:  pali,  «)K  ernrAco. 


leather,  by  rT-'s^iiii:-  il  fiiiiily  ngain-t  llie  i<o\ul  i.f  \\h-  !>;i_\ -.-u,'!.  s.>  ;is  to  f^ecisra 
Tr'tlioiU  iilidwinjr  it  to  \>&-f^  tliro:iL;!i,  Tl  ti;,  i'u;;:ii.ii-<ly  in-.i;  nulin^;'  liis  iritjyjtei 
from  the  oin-niig,  «  a  elowly  advanced  it.  -nt-'"  i\w  s  h-  o.'  -.jje  bt)<>t  toiicluM? 
tJje  irniiio  of  Iht  /aihkr,  not  two  tet't  mil.'.'  iht.'  laiai  !  oji  whicij  Lrio  Indi&ai 
»itoi)d.  Hero  for  a  iiudiiont  ho  fl!io\vi-<*.  the  b.inv!,  coin  ,  ;i'od  by  the  h»\T 
dt'peridiiig  cuvc-s,  to  re>t  airiiiiist  tiio  jamb  of  the  a[>erture.  His  aixiety  \\na 
i:o\v  woikc'd  up  to  tlie  liighest  pos.-ihlo  ;)i.ch,  for  he  feared,  notwithstandinjj 
his  success  so  far,  that  something  niight  yet  occur  to  defeat  his  purpose,  and 
»hu8  peril  not  only  his  own  life,  but  I'le  lives  of  the  whole  of  tlie  party 
below.  Three  minutes  he  remained  in  this  trying  position  of  uncertainty, 
which  seemed  to  him  as  so  many  hours.  Presenily,  however,  tlie  Indian  od 
the  roof,  having  evidently  accomplished  his  task,  and  btiieving  from  ihe 
•ilttnco  that  had  for  some  time  pervaded  r.round,  tliat  no  one  was  near  him, 
bpoke  in  a  low  tone  to  Ids  compaQioDHj  who  now  cautiously  crept  towards 
the  ladder. 

This  was  the  moment  for  action.  Tha  Virginian,  who,  although  expecting 
this,  had  watched  their  movements  wirh  aching  interest,  now  Bummontd 
his  whole  strength,  and  while  the  first  tivage  below  was  upon  the  ladder, 
pushed  his  musket  vviiij  such  violeuco  against  the  sole,  that  it  carried  it 
rapidly  over  the  corner  of  the  house,  bi  iore  tlie  Indian  could  tind  i)rese!ico 
of  mind  to  llirow  himself  upon  the  roof — a  sudden  backward  jerk  of 
the  weapon  liberated  the  bayoi:ef,  the  extreme  point  of  which  only  IkmI 
entered  the  wood,  ai.d  as  the  Virgiiuau  withdrew  this,  ho  could  distinctly 
see  the  unfortunate  savages  fall  heacioug  from  the  top  of  the  ladder, 
uttering,  as  both  descended,  a  fearful  cr\  of  dismay,  which  was  n.sponded 
to  by  fierce  yells  from  ih^  lips  of  their  companions,  who  hastened  to  tiieir 
■uc^or. 

"  Well  done,  that!"  said  the  corporal,  oxultingly,  and  half-aloiid  to  himself, 
as  he  slapped  his  thigh,  in  a  manner  to  de'iute  his  own  seif-ai)proval.  "Tiiut'a 
what  I  call  doing  the  business  as  it  should  be  done.  The  attempt,"  and  ha 
smiled  at  the  conceit,  ''  was  not  a  bootless  one  to  us  all,  tiiongh  it  has  I  ten 
B  boot  less  one  to  me." 

To  understand  tliis  facetionsnes«  of  tJie  Virginian,  it  niuat  bo  under  .tood 
that  on  withdrawing  his  bayonet,  tlie  boot  which  it  had  only  ulighfl^.  pierced, 
l\»}  slipped  from  the  .veapou  .".nd  fallen  :o  the  ground  simultHneou-ly  with 
the  other  heavier  bodies,  wliose  more  n).i -ked  sound  iiad  absorbed  its  own. 
It  therefore  escaped  tiie  notice  of  the  lit  i.ms. 

"  llilloa  there  1"  Jie  continued  in  a  lo  ..ei  key  ;  "  there's  no  more  daiigei 
It)  tliis  quarter,  my  lads.  Show  us  a  light,  and  it  C<iss  has  that  turkey  reidy, 
we'll  iiav©  some  supper.     B'or  m^*  part,  I'm  dovilitdi  Mharp  set,    Here,  Green, 


to  Pociira 

10  Indt&a 
the  lo\f 
xleiy  wHi 
iistaiuiin^ 
pose,  11  ud 
the  party 
certainty, 
Indian  oo 
from  the 
lear  liim, 
t  towards 

expecting 

Minin.int'd 

le  ladciiT, 

carried    it 

I  p'rcsi  lu-e 

jerk  of 

only  hi'd 

dit^iinctly 

e   ladder, 

sponded 

to  tiieir 

liitiiself, 
"Tliut'a 
"  and  ha 


.HARDSCi;^U3BLE  ;    OR,    THE  FALL  OP  CHICAGO. 


63 


lUS 


ien 


!<• 


kler.tood 
pierced, 
-ly  with 
its  own. 


e  daiiget 
;y  reidy, 
;.  Green, 


,1 


talco  my  >nn?ikt't,  and  irivo  riio  tlit.   -andle." 

Surpri-ed  at  the  coi!.";irs  n:  voii'cd  lininor,  for  they  had  been  led  t« 
ap|;re!ivnd,  from  the  im.  .,•  ii,;i<lf  i)y  the  fnllini,'  ladder,  and  tlio  excitement 
evidently  prevjiiling  ani<i  g  the  1;  lians,  that  Home  new  act  of  treachery  was 
aV'ont  to  be  tried  by  ihi-m,  tliu  men  gatht.od  underneath  the  openin<:, 
Green  taking  his  muslxLi  l;om  the  iiunds  of  the  Vir^iinan,  while  in  return, 
he  mounted  on  one  of  the  low  chairg.  and  extending  his  arm  far  above, 
Lundi'd  liim  the  Ughr. 

After  a  few  minutes  search,  the  corporal  appeared  again  at  the  month  of 
«hc  -oft,  not  oniy  wiih  a  «ifmijohr  half-filltMl  with  whi-ky,  but  with  a  Iarg« 
V)af  of  brown  hre»<i.  hiu]  pjirt  of  a  slmnlder  of  dried  venisor.  troii  whi«>^ 
nearly  one-half  had  btyen  chipped  away  in  siices.     itiis,  uuked,  was  a  prize, 

and  the  men  looked  at  the  a'-ticles-  of  necessary  supply,  aa  they  were  suc-ces- 
eively  handed  down,  with  an  e.irnestness  which  denoted,  that  whatever 
Uiight  be  their  apprc  htn^ioiis  ol  danger  fnjni  without,  they  by  no  means 
coveted  tig  .ring  on  an  empty  stoir.ach.  After  having  lowered  the  treasure* 
he  had  been  so  fortunate  as  to  ticcnre,  the  Virginian  swung  himself  down  by 
hie  hands,  without;  difliculty,  upon  the  lower  floor. 

The  fire  had  been  again  revived,  and  having  ordered  Jackson  np  into  the 
loft,  to  keep  watch  at  the  small  vindow,  and  apprise  him  if  any  attempt 
ehould  be  made  to  replace  the  ladder,  the  corporal  for  the  first  time  lighting 
his  pipe,  sat  down  lo  ruminate  on  his  position,  and  consider  tKe  means  by 
which  tiie  party  were  to  be  taken  back  to  tlie  fort.  Further  serious  appre- 
henMons  in  regard  to  their  safety  ;ie  did  not  now  entertain,  for  baulked,  as 
the  Indians  had  been,  in  all  tii-'ir  attempts  to  get  into  the  house,  he  felt 
persuadeil  tliat  it  was  more  with.  ;i  view  to  annoy  and  alarm,  than  with  any 
hope  of  eventual  success,  that  thov  still  lingered  in  the  neighborhotid.  Had 
they  boen  in  a  situation  to  continue  the  siege  longer  than  the  morning,  the 
case  nught  have  been  different.  But  '\i  was  obvious  tliat  in  order  to  secure 
their  own  safety,  alarmed  as  they  must  know  the  governor  would  be  at  tlie 
absence  of  tlie  party  under  his  command,  they  would  not  remain  longer 
than  daylight  exposed  to  the  ciiances  of  being  themselves  closely  assailed 
from  without. 

Such  was  the  reasoning  of  tl  o  Virginian,  whose  greatest  source  of  dis- 
comfort now  was  the  apprehcn'-ion  of  serious  re[)riinaiid,  if  not  something 
worse,  fiom  the  austere  Captain  Headley,  whoso  displeasure,  he  was  certain, 
would  be  so  much  the  grtater  or  account  of  the  loss  of  the  tififortunale  Col- 
lins. He  looked  iv  !  1-  ".I'ch,  h'  t  to  \\\<  grca;  aiinoya'iC',  f  iniid  that  it.  had 
Bto'iped,  the  lionr-h:ii:'!  jioiiiiiiiti  o  one  <.>'cl..cl:.  llo>vloni;  it  had  bet-n  run 
down,  he  could  not  icli,  !int  iVui'i  the  li-ue  whiidi  h'ld  clai»-<i'd  since  lliei? 
iit>andoMi!H'iit  of  the  b^jii,  iiiid  ariiv.i!  in  the  iiouse,  In-  did  not   t.'iink  it  could 


51 


HARDSCTIABBLE  ;    OU,    THE   FALL   OS  C\U'\0?t 


be  Ie^4S  than  fuur  in  tlio  morning. 

Deairons  to  satisfy  liinisolf  by  the  appearance  of  tVo  heavfeiis,  he  Ai*os€^ 
end  with  the  aid  ot  Green,  placed  ilie  table  under  the  window  oommanuing 
a  view  of  the  river.  This  being  too  low,  a  chair  was  placeu  npon  it,  thua 
affording  the  corporal  the  advantage  of  greater  elevaticm  than  ne  haa  denved 
from  the  use  of  tiie  ladder  itself. 

Everything  was  again  quiet.  Not  a  sound  broke  the  stillness,  save  the 
howling  of  a  few  wolves,  which,  probably,  attracted  Oy  the  scent  oi  tu« 
human  blood  that  had  been  spilt  that  day,  and  by  the  exposed  corpio  that 
was  now  strewed  with  white  blossoms  from  the  tree  beneath  whioa  ic  lay, 
were,  by  the  increasing  light,  indistinctly  seen  on  the  oppc>sito  snore.  But 
not  their  savatre  cry  of  hunger  alone  was  heard.  Ever  and  anon,  in  reply  to 
their  fkrce  howling  was  heard  the  snappish  bark  of  L<'i)0  Garou,  a',  leaping 
on  the  body  of  his  nnoctiscious  master,  he  laslad  his  tail,  p'  "  seemed  to  bid 
defiance  to  those  whose  errand  he  seemed  so  perfectly  to  divine. 

''Poor  dog!  yon  shall  never  want  a  master  while  I  can  keep  yo  h«.if 
mrnnnred  the  corporal,  as  he  now  turned  his  iravte  ui»on  <Ue  water,  .inxiout 
Id  see  if  &nj  trace  could  he  found  tliere  of  tlie  skill' ami  it^  miii^iinK  cccuiMini 
Nothing,  howt'vtr,  o.iine  v;ittiin  his  view,  but  just  as  tici  was  preiianng  t« 
descend  from  the  wind-.w,  tlie  tiutline  of  the  boa>,  for  fnun  its  pecuIi'M" 
shape  he  easily  ideniitled  it  as  their  own,  riveted  his  attention  as  it  p;i-scd 
quickly  np  tlie  river,  filled  witli  seven  or  eight  savages  in  their  war-dress, 
and  having  at  the  how  what  had  the  appearance  of  a  pole,  from  the  top  of 
which,  dangled  a  human  scalp. 

''Gone  at  last,"  he  exclaimed,  after  a  moment's  pause,  "hut  with  poor 
Gollins^  scalp  i:  oiig  with  tliem.  Cass,"  he  added,  as  he  '•prang  to  the  fiuor, 
**:*f  that  Vn-key  is  fit  to  eat  let's  have  it  directly,  and  you,  Weston,  look  about 
and  see  if  there  is  any  more  water  to  be  had.  Make  haste,  now,  for  we  shall 
have  to  tramp  it  to  the  fort  as  soon  as  it's  daylight.  The  devils  are  gnne 
and  carried  off  the  boat." 

Not  less  anxious  than  himseli  to  be  once  more  on  their  way  to  the  fort, 
which  some  of  them,  on  entering  the  hoiise  that  night,  had  scarcely  ho|>ed 
to  reacii  alive,  tlie  men,  leaning  tl^iir  muskets  agaitist  the  side  of  the  room, 
assisted  in  preparing  tlie  rude,  but  grateful  meal,  of  which  they  stood  so 
much  in  need,  and  which  wa>3  to  sustain  them  during  the  short-api>roaciiing 
march.  The  table  having  been  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  room,  and  on  it 
the  demijohn,  and  bread  and  venison.  Green  and  Weston,  the  latter  (►f 
whom  had  been  unsncccssfid  in  his  search  for  water,  soized  each  a  leg  and  a 
wing  of  the  ample  turkey,  which  now  denuded  and  disembowelled,  Cass  had 
Bcientififally  carved  in  its  raw  state,  and  held  them  in  the  blaze  of  the  fire, 
waitiog  patiently  until  the  blackuess  of  the  outside  should  give  promise  of 


I 


f 


HATinsrUABBLE  .    OK,   THE   FAI.T,  OP  CnTCAOO. 


55" 


4 


corresponding  wnnnth  within,  T's  slayer  held  the  body  of  the  bird  over 
the  firt-  in  a  >i!iiilar  in.im  »  r.  t'lo  nkcr  iuivinjjf  been  tlirust  into  tlie  abdomen. 
Tli(-y  all  sat,  or  juthur  .^.  oil  in  i  squatting  position  \vit!i  their  fai'us  to  the 
fire. 

"Well,  now,  I  reckon  v.o  sliu''  make  six  considerable  shares  of  this," 
drawlt'd  Cass,  looking  tundly  at  *.he  carcass,  wiiicli  \va>  slowly  but  tempt- 
ingly spluttering  before  him  at  'iie  fire.  '*  Are  you  any  ways  {tarticular, 
Green  ? — what  part  suits  yen-  ta-'o  best,  Weston — a  leg  or  a  wing  ?  For  my 
part  I  always  f'ck  to  the  carcass  " 

"Faith,  and  I  like  botli,  and  a  slice  of  the  breast  to  boot.  Fju  just  the 
fellow,  now  the  vermints  are  gone,  that  could  eat  all  of  tht-m." 

"Yes,  but  you  know,"  returned  the  temporary  chef  tie  cuisine^  "  it  mustb« 
share  and  sliare  alike — tliere's  tw  -  U-gs — two  wings  and  the  breast,  and  the 
back  slil  in  two — tliat  just  makes  Ax  jfortions,  and  we're  six  men  in  all." 

"  Oast  lots  fiddlestick,"  said  Green,  '*  wliat  portion  do  you  expect.  Nut- 
crackers? unless  it's  tlie  neck,  ann  the  Boaly  part  of  tlie  leg,  the  Injin  had  hold 
of  when  you  so  bravely  sent  your  bayonet  througli  her  feathers." 

"Well,  only  think  how  cunning  of  the  fellows,"  remarked  Weston, 
"who'd  ever  have  thouglit  they  would  try  that  fashion  to  get  in,  cramming 
an  old  turkey  before  them  to  cleur  the  way,  and  get  in  his  craw  the  first  bul- 
let that  ndght  be  sent." 

"Yes,  and  the  tight  grip  the  fellow  had  of  him  by  the  leg.  Just  look, 
Green,  the  mark  of  the  devil's  h?:id  may  be  upon  him  yet.  It  was  the  right 
leg,  and  that's  it  you  haire." 

'*  B»»!'i '  what  do  v^u  expect  r;e  to  find  there  but  the  mnrVi  of  vonr  dirty 
paws  while  plucking  him,  I'm  t((>dtvili»h  hungry  tor  sucii  nonsense.  If uU 
crackers;  but  show  me  the  Injin  that  would  veiiiure  to  touch  his  legs  now. 
If  I  wouldn't  mark  him,  then  my  -lame's  not  Seth  Green." 

Scarcely  had  he  finished  speai.iig,  wiien  a  dark  naked  human  hand  was 
sluwly  pr()tru(ledover  his  »houlde^  and  seized  not  the  K'g  of  the  turkt  y,  which 
Green  now  grasped  with  uncoii;cious  and  convul^-ive  enerj:y,  Imt  a  brand 
from  tlie  fire. 

In  his  terror  at  that  strange  an  1  unexpected  appearance,  he  dropped  the* 
body  of  the  bird  in  t!ie  glowing  I'ubers,  and  utterinjj  a  faint  cry,  turiieil  half 
round  and  beheld  what  tilled  hiti'  with  the  deepest  dismay:  his  conipaniorn*, 
scarcely  less  terrified  tiian  hini-<if,  sprang  together  to  tfieir  fVet,  with  the 
intention  of  rusidn;:  t'<  their  m-isi-ets,  but  all  hope  of  iccoveriiiLT  them  was 
gone.  Tlie  savage  u  '  <  '  \']  sni!'  led  fie  tir'-  w,i>  no  l.in;.'er  t'a-re  linn,  hut 
half  a  dozen  otiietv  in  (iieij-  war-;  .  iit  stocxl  i»e!  ween  them  and  their  firelocks. 
It  ■eeuicd  as  if  thu^  were  wenoiblc  tiiat  their  very  silence  inspired  more  awe 


50 


HARDSCRAKBLE  ,    OR,    THE   FAIJ,   OF  CHICAGO. 


and  npprelienMon  in  the  bosoing  ot  thoir  (]efi,ncloss  enemies -tlian  could  have 
done  the  most  turbulent  expression  of  their  triumph.  They  had  eviilently 
entered  l»y  the  bacic  door,  which  was  now  quite  open,  and  grouped  around 
the  body  of  Mr.  Ueywood,  were  apparently  more  interested  in  tlie  dead  than 
in  the  living.  Not  a  sign  was  there  of  the  corporal,  and  PhiHps  stood  as  if 
paralyzed,  leaning,  musket  in  hand,  against  the  opposite  entrance. 


CHAPTER    VII. 


Leaving  tlie  little  party  in  the  dismay  occasioned  by  their  new  posiliou, 
and  that  at  a  moment  when  they  believed  themselves  secured  from  further 
interruption  or  danger,  we  must  now  return  to  the  Fort,  wliere  their  long* 
continued  absence,  coupled  with  the  ctartlitig  tidings  conveyed  by  Ephraim 
Giles,  had  created  equal  anxiety  and  appi-eliension. 

It  will  be  recollected  that  during  the  fxaiuiiiatiim  of  the  latter,  Ensign 
Ronayne  had,  after  communieatitig  wiiii  the  cninmaii<ling  otficer,  suddenly 
departed  across  the  river,  taking  with  him  a  few  armed  men.  The  destina- 
tion of  this  little  party  was  the  cottage  (iccu[)ied  hy  Mrs.  lley.wood  and  her 
daughter,  who,  with  a  woman  ervant,  were  the  sole  occupants  of  a  dwelling, 
simple  in  construction,  but  decor.ited  both  within  ftnd  without,  by  the  hand 
of  good  taste.  It  was  a  low,  one-storied  building,  painted  wliite,  v-.th  gieta 
window-blinds  and  shutters,  and  a  verandah  of  treilis.work  of  *Jie  same 
color,  that  extended  a  few  feet  square  round  the  principal  entrance.  On 
either  side,  rose  to  the  roof,  on  parallel  Hues,  and  at  equal  distance-*,  c^rds  of 
strong  twine,  on  which  nlready  had  begun  to  interlace  themselvei»  *'ie  various 
para>ites  indigenous  to  the  soil,  which  winter  had  robbed  of  their  tVeshne.ss, 
but  which  a  southern  sun  was  now  evidently  vivifying  and  re-invi!.'< 'rating. 
A  small  gaideii  of  about  haU'-an-acre,  surrounded  by  a  sijiiilar  trelli-^-uoik, 
extended  equally  in  front,  and  on  the  sides  of  the  house — while  liie  graceftil 
form  given  to  the  various  beds,  and  the  selection  of  the  plants  and  tlowera, 
whieh,  although  still  in  tJ.eir  dormant  state,  yrere  yet  recognizable— testifsed 
the  refilled  tasio  of  tho.Je  \\lio  had  assisted  at  their  culture.  Tlio  pati:w&y, 
which  was  recently  gravelled  troui  the  adjacent  sand-hills,  ran  iii  a  strai{>Ut 
line  from  the  verandaii,  to-  ard  the  little  gieen  gate,  opeidng  on  the  front 
of  the  garden,  took  a  semicircular  sweep  on  either  side,  at  about  one-third 
of  the  .!!«^ance  from  the  gate.  This  form  had  been  given  to  it  for  the 
purpose  of  atfording  room  for  the  creation  of  a  mound,  on  the  summit  of 
which  had  beeu  placed  a  small  summer-house,  octagon  in  °hui>e,  and  uon 


i 


i. 


n  vrdscuvbiim:  ,  on,  tiik  fall  of  chraoo. 


67 


i 


stnicted  of  t]i«  Fftnio  (lc?crijiiion  of  tidlis-wnrk.  The  flopinj?  sidos  of  tii4 
niounu  itself,  weie  prorust'ly  covered  with  dalilias,  rhoikxk'iulroii.i,  gi-raniiiuis, 
and  other  phiiits  of  the  most  select  kind — the  whole  foriiiii)g,  when  in  hlooiu, 
a  circle  of  IKh-mI  mM<;iiinctnce.  A  short  and  narrow  path,  just  l.irge  eniMigh 
to  admit  of  the  passage  of  one  person  at  a  time,  led  to  the  entrance  of  the 
•UMUiier-house,  which,  facing  the  gate,  was  also  shaded  from  the  light  and 
heat  of  tike  sun's  rays,  by  closely  interlacing  vines. 

At!  the  bottom  of  this  ai  tilicial  mound,  and  near  the  pathway,  a  small 
fcpud,  such  as  is  Used  for  pruning,  was  stuck  into  some  eartli,  newly  drawn 
round  a  splendid  tiger  lily,  and  on  the  handle  of  the  spud,  were  loo^elj 
thrown  a  white  silk  jacket,  a  blue  velvet  cap,  and  a  light  pink  scaii" — 
evidencing  th.it  no  ordinary  gardener  had  been  that  day  employed  in  bringing 
into  new  li.e  the  gorgeous  beauties  of  the  variegated  parterre. 

"  Liitle  <«i(l  I  think,"  mused  the  young  otEcer,  as,  leaving  his  parry  at  the 
gate,  and  hastening  towards  the  cottage,  his  eye  fell  upon  those  articles  of 
dress — "  little  did  I  imagine  when  I  threw  off  these  things  a  few  hours  since, 
to  obey  a  suiiiiiicns  to  fho  Fort,  that  on  my  return  to  them,  it  would  be  with 
this  lieavy  heart,  and  as  the  hearer  of  these  tidings — but  J  must  be  cautious 
in  my  disch(>iu-e.     Dear  girl,  here  she  is  I" 

'*  Why,  lidhayne,  what  in  the  name  of  Heaven  is  the  meaning  of  all  t!ii>? 
Are  you  here  tn  take  the  castle  by  storm,  with  all  these  armed  warriors? 
A  few  hf.nrs  since  yon  were  a  man  of  peace,  and  now  I  behold  in  yon  a 
most  approved  and  valiant  knight  of  the  true  American  scliool.  Sword, 
cap,  feather,  epaulet,  bine  broad-cloth,  and  silver.  Well  it  must  be  f^onfes-ed 
that  you  are  not  a  bad  imitation  of  a  soldier,  in  that  garb,  and  it  .j  in  pity 
to  me,  I  suppose,  that  you  do  not  wear  it  oftener.  But  seriously,  Harry,  do 
satisfy  my  curi(»siiy,  and  tell  me  tiie  reason  of  this  unusual  manner  of  visit  ?" 

The  question  was  asked  j)layfully,  but  in  tones  replete  with  sweetness,  by 
a  tall  and  elegantly-formed  girl,  who  on  turning  the  further  circle  of  tli« 
wa!-k,  in  her  r|iproach  to  lier  favorite  flower-bed,  had  for  the  first  time 
beheld  the  young  ttiirer,  and  the  party  stationed  at  the  gate. 

*'  Nay,  dear  Maria."  returned  the  youtli,  dte|)Iy  grieved  at  the  tbongl't  of 
casting  a  gloom  over  the  spiri'-a  of  iier  who  thus  rallied  him.  "I  am  suvrj 
to  say  my  errand  is  n»»t  one  of  mere  i)arade — I  have  come  to  announce  that 
wbiih  will  give  yon  pain;  and  but  that  I  am  charged  with  the  agreea!>le 
lUUy  of  making  you  a  prist)ner,  I  never  should  ha^e  had  the  courage  to  b« 
the  bearer  of  the  intelligence." 

Miss  Ue\  \voo<l  turnetl  very  phle,  less  at  the  words  even  than  at  tlie  nian- 
4i«-  of  the  young  i»llic«r,  wiio  it  was  evidei.t,  fell  all  the  weight  of  i'le  task 
«M  had  undertaken. 

**  Ki'nayue,"  »»he  ua  <l  l.er  voice  suddenly  an^niaiig  a  "nrl)  meumchoiy  U 


1 


I  !i 


58 


IIAHDSCRABm.K  ,    Oil,    THE    FAlvL   OK    (  IIICAGO. 


Intonation,  in  strange  coiitnwt  with  her  first  address,  "Ihtre  h  more  In  thli 
than  y<yii  would  ac(iiiaiut  me  with.  But  toll  me,"  ai.'<l  >lio  fixtil  her  !arg« 
dark  eyes  mi  liis— *'  tell  nie  all.  What  paiu  is  it  ymi  ftur  to  occasiun  me,  ai-d 
bow  is  it  oouiiectod  with  my  being  a  prisoner?  Hal''  ami  shu  gi  i-pcd  his 
aril),  and  betrayed  deep  agitation — '*  surely  notliing  in  my  failier's  con- 
duct  " 

"  No,  no,  Maria,"  returned  the  youtli,  quickly,  ''far  from  anything  of  tha 
k'nd,  and  yet  it  is  of  your  father  I  would  speak.  But  have  you  heard 
notliing  since  I  loft  you.     Have  you  seen  no  one  ?" 

*' I  1  ave  heard  notliing — seen  not  a  soul  from  without,"  she  answered,  aa 
be  tenderly  pressed  tiie  hand  ho  had  taken — "  But,  Konayne,"  she  pursued, 
with  melanclioly  gravity — '*  a  sudden  light  dawns  upon  me — my  heart  tella 
me  tl.'at  some  ini-tortune  or  other  has  happened,  or  is  about  to  happen — yoa 
Bay  you  W(uild  speak  .ibout  my  father.  You  are  the  bearer  of  ill-news  ia 
regard  to  liim.  Yes,  1  know  it  is  so;  toll  me,  Harry,''  niul  she  looked  iinplor- 
)ngly  up  to  him,  ••am  I  not  right? — my  f'aiher  has  been  attacked  by  Indiana, 
and  he  hus'l'alleii.     Oli!  you  do  not  deny  it!" 

"  Nay,  <]eare^t  Maria,  I  know  nothing  of  the  kind,  altln^ugli  I  will  not  con* 
ceal  from  you  that  there  is  daiiirer — you  liave  guessed  correctly  as  to  tha 
Indians  liaving  beeri  at  the  farm,  but  little  certain  is  known  as  to  the  result 
of  their  visit.  That  half  idiot  Ephraim  Giles,  has  come  in  with  some  wild 
eto^y,  but  !  daresay  he  ex I'gge rates." 

I^lss  Hey  wood  shook  lier  he^id  doubtingly.  "You  deceive  ine,  Ronaype 
—  witii  the  best  intenti"n,  but  still  you  deceive  me.  W  you  really  think  tL« 
rumor  be  exaggerated,  why  your  own  restlessness  and  serionsne-s  of  manner? 
Harry,  this  is  no  time  for  concealment,  for  1  feel  that  I  can  hotter  bear  tha 
trutli  iioio  tiian  laUr.     Do  not  iiesitate  then  to  tell  n.e  all  you  know." 

"  True,  my  love,  this  is  no  time  for  concealment  since  such  be  the  state  of 
your  feelings.  I  was  nnwilling  to  admit  my  own  apprehension  on  the  sub- 
ject, fearing  tltat  you  might  be  ill-prepared  for  the  disclosiu-e;  but  after  what 
you  have  just  urged,  the  blow  can  never  fall  less  heavily  than  now.  You 
must  know,  then,  that  a  party  of  hostile  Indians  have,  there  is  too  much 
reason  to  fear,  u-ed  violence  towards  the  inmates  of  the  farm-house,  but  to 
what  extent  we  have  no  means  of  knowing;  though  such  is  the  alarm 
created  by  tlieir  presence  that  lleadley,  who  you  know  is  the  very  st)id  <»f 
caution,  has  ordered  every  white  in  the  neigirnorhood  of  the  Fort,  to  l)a 
removf'd  for  safety  witliin  its  walls." 

"Would  that  in-toad  of  ;/ia^,"  remarked  Miss  Hey  wood,  with  stdeinnity, 
**he  luad  despatched  those  soldiers,  whom  I  see  there  fully  armed,  to  tha 
teacue  of  my  j.'or  father.    Perhaps  he  might  be  saved  yet — the  house  ia 


IIAUDWCIIAIIIU.K  .    OK,    THE   FALL  OF   (  niCA(.0. 


69 


. 


itronf?,  ftitd  migli!  he  defended  for  -oiiio  lii'ie,  even  by  a  0()ii|iK'  of  men." 

"And  iiif  at  tluir  Lend.     Is  it  not  so,  M.-iria?"  iiiquiri'd  t!ie  youtlr. 

"Yes,  and  yon  ;it  tlicii- 'load,  dear  Kon.ayno,"  ref-eatt.'!!  Mi>.s  IIovwoim]  ;  '»io 
CO  (»ne  soniitT  woul  I  I  l-e  indtbted  for  my  fatliei''s  sal'eiy,  jis  iio  t)ne  wouiU,  I 
ftin  sure,  more  cia-orfnlly  aitMiipt  liis  di-liverarce." 

Tiio  voii;'^  AMHTic  in  nm-od  a  niotneiH,  and  ilirii  ri'J.»incd,  despondingly ; 
'^  WtM'y  tlu'Si.'  iDcii  al  my  di-i-Dsal,  M;ii-ia,  h'lw  jjladly  would  I  lla^ir«Ml  to 
o'l/.  )'M,f, '•."•-'.  ili  !i-Mi' •■  I  .>  ■•...,,.:•■. I  ,,t'  \vi;i,'!i  wiiiili]  snare  your  jjciiii^ 
bosom  tfio^e  [langs ;  but  yun  Know  Headley  woud  never  per.  iit  u.  llu 
prn(k-nt'e  I's  a  mania,  and  even  were  Lie  to  yitid  liis  cofisent— lot  Jie  liot  bu»» 
ttiii  yii  with  dvlii^ive  l)n;ics — I  fear  it  would  be  too  late." 

"Gild's  will  bo  done,"'  she  ejaciidateil,  as  the  l,ir:;e  tears  fel  triskling 
down  her  pallid  cheek-',  ''  but  what  will  become  of  my  poor  and  now 
nearly  deaih-strieken-mother,  when  she  hears  of  ihis?"' 

*' Tlie  blow  is  indeed  a  fearful  one,  but  act,  I  pray  yon,  will  ccnrp.ge. 
Consider,  too,  yi.iir  own  safety.  No  one  knows  the  force  of  the  Indians,  or 
how  soon  they  may  be  lu're.  Go  in.  deai-est,  prepare  what  you  may 
more  imi.icd.i  itt-ly  retpiire  fur  a  few  days,  and  my  nien  will  carry  your 
trnnks  down  to  the  scow  wiiicii  is  >\ainnj;  to  reeeive  yon." 

•'  And  if  I  sh.tidt]  conseiit  to  }fo,  lionayne,  you  know  my  poor  'vother  can- 
not rise  iVom  her  bed.  What  do  you  propose  to  do  with  l:er?  To  renmvo 
her,  and  let  her  know  irhy  she  is  removed,  would  soon  finish  the  work  her 
debilit.-itinj.'  di-ea-^e  has  bigun." 

"  I  lia\  c  made  every  neces-ary  provision,"  answered  tlio  yonni;  odieer, 
glad  to  tind  that  her  thoughts  eould  be  diverted  from  the  immediate  snurca 
of  her  siirro.v.  "  EInisley's  wife,  to  whom  I  spoke  a  few  hurried  wonis  on 
k'.avini:,  is  ev^n  i'.i>w  prei)arinii;  fir  your  temporary  receiition,  and  I  have 
tho'.iirht  of  an  excuse  to  be  u;iven  to  yiHir  mother.  You  must  for  once  in 
your  life  u^e  deeeii,  and  say  that  Van  Votteidjer^'  desires  her  pre-^etioe  in  the 
fort,  becau-e  his  du;ies  have  become  so  severe  that  he  can  no  longer  aosent 
himself  to  bt-tow  ujjon  h'T  that  professional  care  she  so  much  retpdres. 
Nay,  look  not  so  incredulous.  I  am  aware  that  tiie  pretext  is  a  meagre  one, 
hill  I  camiol  at  pre>ent  think  of  a  belter;  and  in  her  enfeebk-d  state  she  will 
not  dwell  niion  the  strangeness  of  the  plea.  (Jo  on  then,  I  entreat  you,  and 
desire  Catherine  to  I'ollect  what  you  will  w.iiit,  while  my  men  cany  to  the 
gcow  such  articles  of  furniture  as  will  l)e  most  useful  to  yon  in  your  new 
quarters.  C^uick,  dear  Maria,  I  implore  \ou,  there  has  already  been  too 
much  time  los;,  and  I  e.xpeec  every  momeiiL  an  order  fiom  Lleadley  to  retuix 
Immediately." 

Seu.-iblo  of  a  pressing  emergency,  Miss  Ile.vwooii,    with  a  beating  heart. 


ll 


GO 


IIAUDSCIJAUnLh  ,    Oil,    TIIIC    K.\I-L   OK   CHICAGO. 


regatnecl  the  cottaj^o,  in  whioli  so  in.iiiy  lili->r(il  Iioimn  h.nl  boen  parsed 
wiiliin  the  l;ist  two  yoars,  iiiidisiurlied  bv  h  o.n-i.'  I'oi-  tin-  fiitui-i',  while  the 
youii;^  oflit-er  joining  liis  men,  loft  ono  to  tako  care  of  the  arms  of  the 
party,  and  with  tlie  remainder  hastened  to  the  iKtii-o  irialvinif  as  little  in>i-e  as 
j>()ssil)le,  in  order  not  to  di.sttirb  the  invalid.  Uaving  chosen  such  articles 
ot  furniture  as  he  know  Mrs.  Elinsley  was  most  deficient  in,  and  among 
these  a  couch  and  a  couple  of  easy-chairs  (which  latter  indeed  were  the 
work  of  liis  own  hands),  they  were  conveyed  to  the  scow  in  two  trii)!^ 
and  then  followed  three  or  four  trunks  into  which  had  been  tlirown,  without 
regard  to  order,  such  wearing  apparel,  and  necessaries  of  the  toilet  as  the 
•hurt  period  allowed  for  j)reparation  had  permitted  the  agitated  girl  to  put 
t<>p:ether.  The  most  delicji^e  part  of  the  burden,  however,  yet  remained  to 
Le  removed,  iind  tliat  was  the  invalid  herself.  Desiring  his  men  to  remain 
without,  the  youth,  who>e  long  and  close  intimacy  with  tlie  family  rendered 
•uch  a  ste])  by  no  means  objectionable,  entered  the  a[»aniiieiit  of  Mrs.  Iley- 
woof!,  who  had  ab't'tulv  been  prep-ired  by  her  diiiLr'ti'v  (■  r  ilie  i-t-movjil.  anc 
w.ih  the  H-si-tviuv^  I J  Crfttierine  raised  the  bea  on  winct.  siie  my,  ann  tran*> 
ferred  •'.  '.o  a  li't^r  brought  ft>r  the  occasion.  This  they  carefully  bopi 
throi-.g!'.  the  si'itM  <'f  ^mall  and  intervening  rooms  to  the  front,  where  two  of 
»he  'lien  ve'leved  lliem,  Catlierine  walking  at  the  side,  and  unnecessarily 
r)nj<>inin,ir  CHii'i(>M  at  every  stop. 

"This  i.--,  indeed,  an  ;inex,>ected  change,  Ronayne,"  said  Miss  ITey wood, 
Badly,  "Knr.  this  moniing,  atid  I  was  so  happy,  and  now!  Tli»-e  po.ir  flow- 
ers, too  (fin-  after  having  f.istetied  the  windows  and  doors  of  tiie  house, 
tlioy  Vv'eio  now  diiecting  their  course  towards  the  mound),  that  parterre 
wliich  cvtst  us  so  much  lahor,  yes,  such  sweet  labor,  must  all  i)e  left  to  be 
destroyed  liy  tlie  liand  of  some  ruthless  savage.  Yet,  what  do  I  say,"  she 
pur-r.ed,  in  a  lone  of  deep  sorrow,  "I  lament  the  flo.vers;  yes,  Ronayne, 
because  they  have  thriven  under  yiuir  care,  and  yet,  I  forget  tiiat  my  father 
perhaps  no  longer  lives;  that  my  beloved  mother's  deatli  may  be  the  e«rly 
con-equence  of  this  removal.  Yet  think  me  not  selfish.  Tiiink  me  not 
ungrateful.  Come  what  may,  you  will  yet  be  left  to  me.  No,  Harry,"  and 
■he  looked  up  to  him  tearfully,  '"  I  shall  never  be  utterly  destitute,  while  you 
cemai'i." 

"  iJless  yon,  thrice  bless  you  for  these  sweet  avowals  of  your  confidence," 
exclaimed  tlio  youth,  suddenly  dropping  lier  arm,  and  straining  her  passion- 
ately to  his  heart.  "  Ves,  Maria,  I  shall  yet  remain  to  love,  to  cherish,  to 
make  you  forget  every  other  tie  in  tliat  of  husband — to  blend  every  relation- 
ehip  in  that  ot  one." 

"  Nay,  Rouayne,"  she  quickly  returned,  while  the  color  mounted  vividly 


i;a:;;)ck.\:i;;i.i; 


<'U,    THi:    F.Vl.l.    ()!'    (  MIi'\G'>. 


CI 


to  licr  I'^ceis,  under  tie  o;i  i!o>?  ;  ■  .I- 


f 


I 


ui'ul'i  nut  pm'.v  iiri-ajr 


ave 


ail!,  !i   (1  \(|  I  li'hi  tio   iu'fiKl  ili.u  iiiv  u  i'r<!>  ^llull!(l  c'x;!' t 


Iv  \. 


ar 


urt'^tiioii  —  ri'ir  is  ii.i>  m  u.oMU'ti! 


iJiit  ^till  yi)ii  will  he  my  wile — t«'ll   iiu'.  Maria  ?"  nrid  lie   l(>oko<l    ii'.) 


,'.,-. 


iiiL'lv  iiiio  lu'f  own  not  uvorttMl  f\f<. 


Yoti  will  bf  tlio  wife,  as  m)Ii    have 


l>it|.'  ht'iMi  tlie  frieiid  and  Pdinpaiiiwii   of  your  llonaync — aii^wcr  nif.     Wil! 


vou  no' 


9" 


U>   It. 


N.iy,   di  aro-t    Harry,"  she   said,   jrcntly  disengnpin;;   hoivelf  fro'n   Ids 


eMihract', 


we    wi 


11  b 


-K'  t-een. 


■ey  Tnay  wiMKler  at  our  delay,  a!:<l   M-n 


Btiiiie'ii  (1\  '.ack  from  the  srow.     Let  us  proceed." 

"  Yon  are  liu'lit,''  replied  tlie  yoiuij.'  otllcer,  a^raiii  pn'^siiiL'  her  arm  thrcHirh 

eXcOvs  of  iaipiness   i;iii-f    not 


hi!-'  own,  will, 


thev  contitined   their  route. 


(•nii>e  nil-  to  conmiit  an  iinpnidenoe  so  pr-eat,  as  that  of  siilh  riiiL--  nn-tlier  to 
di'.ine  the  exiei.t.  Yet  one  word  more,  dear  Maria!  and  ,ih  I  thitik  iiaw 
iiuuli  dei-eiids  n|)(»u  vour  answer.      W//cn  shall  I  call  voii  mine?" 


1 


''Oh!  ripi'ak  n  )r  now  of  that,  Ronayne — consider  the  po>iition  of  my 
father — my  mother's  healtli." 

**  It  it  fi>r  tliut  very  reason  that  I  do  ask  it,"  returned  the  vuith.  "Sb-ml^ 
U«;nvtn  dt  j.ri\e  _\oii  of  tU;  one,  us  it  in  some  degree  ihrti'eiis  yoii  witli  th« 
loss  of  the  oihrr,  what  shall  so  Weil  Console   Vou   as   tliU   tenderness  ot   hiiA 


Wiio  is  hh 


fll 


[h  \ki\\v  h»ve  V 


oil 


"  Ilii-h,  lla.  rj. ,'  and  >he  fondly  pressed  his  arm—''  they  will  he.-ir  y 
'Ihi'V  had  now  approached  the  scoW,  into  wiileh  the  uifH,  ha\  iii^'  pieviou  .ly 
dep">iu(l  ;he  t'.irii:lnre  and  trunks,  were  preparing  to  embark  ihe  litter  i.'|  oa 
whieh  Mr.>.  Il-ywdod  lay  extended,  with  an  expre.-->ioli  of  resi,::nation  frnd 
repose  upon  I  tr  calm  feaiures,  that  toncbe<l  the  luaitsof  even  the-e  rude 
n  ea.      Her  da!;<rhii'r,    halr'-reproachinir   herself  for  not   havin^r   pt-r-oir  llj 


Hi 


itiiijed    to  her  tran-port,  and   onlv   coii^ol.  d   i>v    tlie   recolU-clii'M   of    i 

I  ^  */ 


v\i'W-:H]U'^  eXiil;;nal;oii  willi  iier  h)\ei',  wliieli  had  el'ahecil  lo  r.  >na  t 
a!''eiiee,  iiow  tenderly  iicijiiiied  how  she  had,  Ituriie  it,  alul  w.i^- 
gri.t.lii-i!  to  find  I  hat  the  chaniie  ot  air,  and  L'ei.tle  eNerc;>t  to  whic'i 


)reu  si!bjecle( 


had 


soii.ew 


at  restored  her.     Here  was  one  souri-e  of  <  aie 


pai'tiy  reUKrved,  aiul  she  felt,  if  possible,  increiLsed  affection  for  the  .youili  to 


Her  head  saidc  upon  Ids  slionldor,  and  the  lieaving  of  her  bosom,  as  she 

gently  retnrneil  his  embrace,  alone  coineyed  the  assurance  he  desjicil.     She  • 

N^a*"   (beply  alb-eted.     Slie  knew  the  ardent,  generous  nature  of  hi  r  lo\er,  ! 

and  she  felt  that  every  word  that  had  ju-t  l<dlen  frotn  his  liiw,  tended  on!y  I 

to  unravel  the  inio  emotions  of  his  heart:   but  soothing  as  was  his   i'ljias-  | 
«»ioiie<l  lai!'_nia;re,  she  deemed  it  ahuost  criminal,  at  such  a  moment,  to  li>ten 


n 


u::.'s  K\iaj: 


tili,    Tin;    KAl.I.    CI'   {IMCAdO. 


vli'H'.'  roii-lil. Kill-  uUiiiiiiiii  wns  owing  tl.i»  l.udsaLlc  i liaiigt  in  llie  con»iI« 
lioM  ol   a  |»ariMii.  wiiuiii  she  !ia<i  evt-r  t'oiuiiy  liwd. 

It  \v!is  i,(';r  sMiiM't  uiicMi  lloiiaviU',  ulit»,  uitli  tlie  rclm-t  Ca^lioiitie,  lied 
raroi'uiiy  litU'd  lln-  invalid  into  tlie  Cfiitie  of  tlie  scow,  n-aclii'd  tlie  landing- 
|iluco  below  tliu  Fort.  Ik-io  wcri-  coliccted  siviral  <  t"  tiic  wonu-ii  ot  t!i<i 
coiDiiany,  and  among  tlieni  Mrs.  Elnisley,  who  iiad  come  down  to  meet  and 
Wflcoine  tlioso  for  who>e  reception  she  had  made  every  i)ri)vision  tlu 
urrie<]  notice  she  had  received  would  permit.  Tlie  young  nUi  •er  had  l»cer, 
ttie  tir-t  t«)  .step  on  shore,  and  :it"ter  lie  had  whimpered  somotliing  in  her  ear. 
•he  lor  a  moment  e<inuriiinicated  wiili  the  gronp  ot"  women — then  ailv;mcei 
to  ineet  Mi>.s  Ileywood,  wlmni  lier  lover  was  now  handing  t'n)m  the  s(;i>\v, 
Slie  embrucetl  licr  with  a  tenderiiess  so  nnn>u;il!y  artVciionate^  that  .'i  vagnt 


con 


id  of  th 


rl. 


lou-nes.s  of  tlie  true  cau-e  flashed  across  the  mmu  oi  me  anxious  gi 
rucallin  ;  back  all  that  inward  grief  of  soul,  wjiiel'  tlio  deep  emotion  ot  aL 
engrossing  love  had  for  a  time  absorbed. 

In  less  than  h.dr-anhour  the  fugitives  we'o  i.ist»;Iied  ir*  the  council  lialL 
and  in  auoiiier  small  u[)artment,  dividing  it  fr.)".i  i*.e  r<-^Mi.i  occupied  by  th* 
Elm-leys.  'J'he  ensign,  having  seeti  that  all  wa:.  ar:an^ed  in  a  suitable 
manner  in  the  tormer,  went  out  to  the  f<iri»''.e-."; oni.d,  'eavlng  tlie  ladies  \u 
charge  of  their  amiable  hostes^s,  a.td  of  tne  U'omeu  shi  had  summoned  to 
as-isi  in  bearing  the  latter  inttj  the  F.-rt. 

On  his  way  to  his  rooiiis,  lie  met  Cs-ptpin  Ileadley  returnin;,'  from  au 
insp<'ction  of  the  <lefinces.  lie  salutea  him,  and  was  in  the  act  of  addres-ii.^^ 
bim  in  a  friendly  .ind  futuirar  'ni)<j,  whoa  he  was  clacked  bj'  the  sliarjily- 
lUtered  rema'k  : 

•' So,  sir,  yoi.  are  rctu'-ne'!  at  IftHt.     It  seems  to  me  that  you   li.-iv;   iioer 


much  loi;ger  a;  seM  t' 


an  wf.-  nice-if-ar' 


Tiie  high  .-piiit  .if  'lie  voi'lh  was  <;li{tfetl.  "Pardon  me.  sir,"  he  anc^veret 
haughtily,  "it'  I  ciufadv;  yov.  No  one  of  the  least  leeliiig  would  hax 
thought  of  remo\it'g  s'^'^h  r.u  invaiifl  as  Mis.  Icywood  is,  without  O'lV^ 
every  care  her  r.oiidition  required.  Have  you  any  order*  for  me,  C;.p*.»i*j 
Vieadley  ?"  be  coiidudt*!,  in  a  junre  res^pecil'ul  mmner,  lor  he  li.nd  b'.,-;«^Tnfl 
Beiifeible,  the  moment  afier  be  Inid  spoken,  of  his  trnu"  in  t'  us  evincing 
•aperity  under  ^he  repri>of  of  bis  sujM'r'or. 


\  oil  are  (lilieer  ol    the  ifii, 


tf' 


1  I)  I 


Ie\e. 


Mr.  T 


Cuii'ie 


l(».  sir, 


Mr.  h 


%riislev  relieved  me  !  :ii>  mofi  jiiij. 


At  th;i'  moiiieni  the  lis'-namcd  oihcfr  crine  up,  on  his  'v,;y  to  the  en.sign'f 


quarters,  when,  ;^ie  -ame  que>tioii  having  l.eeu  pit  t^  iiini,  and  ;ins\vcre< 


1  ir. 


tbo  atliriu itive,  C;ip;iiii  Ile.'idley  desired  ti.at  ihe   iiinmeiit   1  tie  listiiug-partj 


came  in   they  should  be  reported   to  him. 


.\nd    now,   genilemeii,"    h« 


concluded.  "I  expect  yon  both  to  be  pai'iicnlr.rly  on  the  iU^rt  to-nigbt. 
The  ai)senc,e  of  that  tisljiag-i)arty  distresses  me,  aiul  1  would  j^ive  laucli  thai 
they  were  back." 


!on»U« 


(ling- 
t   tito 


IK 


X    tl 

beoB 
ear. 

;(:i>\V, 
■MgiU 


& 


rl. 


jI   ul 


IimIL 
^  tti« 
iabW 
us  \u 
»(1   tu 


at 


>-ii. 


loer 


Met 
a\< 

.»Vj 
THfl 

■•»3 


Iti 

ii« 
[it. 


HAnDSCUAUnLK  ;    OK,    T.U:  ru.l.  »il'   ( 


•'('•.•'♦uin   II  •.'!  !l^v."  -Hi.!   rl 


*<  1 


Ij'    III"    |t|rl< 


:it    II   i]H.'t>;i   lllC'll   •\•>^'.\^    I  ! 


'1.    'ji'i    K'V    ,'1. 


I----.T. 


h»'      |i!l'     \'      l»  •  O    t.'      IimI    i|;lV       1  D-Mlwl"  i>W 


S'li']>i'i-ii.'    .liiii    (li««;ij::'ri.V;il    oil    till-    cinii'Ic^liifc    i.t"  tiic 
re:!  Iv  '<>  t'oileit    MiV  <'iriiiiii<-iMti  if   I   Cnl         .." 

'"  A  w  \  Oil  iici'!,  Mr.  U  'luv  II  ■.  I T  .ii  '•'Ml  s   pjiosi' 
to   i'iii(.'!t,'i;ii   siicl, 


tl 
P"iMi>iii  '11,    ;!ii.l    t!i  ,s    u  e.-il-.iMi 
l-'orkM!  voiif  c'oiiimis-ini  it"  you  fit  II !      NV.iy, -^ir,  yoii  \ 
j'ojir  CMiiiiiii^-io'i,  it'  \ou  »'V('ii  »ii  •('('k-ili  .1  ill  •my  tMn 
witii   laili  ;i'-y  jiriiU-m-t.'.     (reirlo  neii,  r'.'i-olU'ct  wIimI 
yo.i  <o  ;!Sv'  l!u'  iriiiost  viiril.iiiCL'  Io-iiIl'':',  :iiiil,  Mr.  Kli 
to  r»';iort  the  ti-liiiii^-l>o.it."     TinH  i'njoiiiin<»,  lie   pa 
qil;li!t"  s. 

••  [) II  your  iiiilit  iry  iiniileiice,  .'iiid  d ii  your 

iit>~"<  I"  !ii;i;  toriii   liiy  tin-y  eii>i;4ii  bL-lwceil  liis  tceiii- 
lilx  ••■ili'uill   vsjl-  out  of   lit'H.'llu'. 


IIK 

\<i(>. 

63 

.1     M 

.'|>^! 

llC-<Oi  1 

•1. 

".:;1y,            1 

I  ;  ; 

!     r'.M 

L'f     !'M»I 

■   1     Kl 

v^'. 

>l;. 

«>■■   ili;' 

- 

•J'O'  1^ 

.'  >;■ 

llllllUI 

il.lUl, 

i. 

i   .till 

iKl- 

[     MM. 

iti.'n! 

ei 

.Oll^'l) 

lll\ 

T'TCi 

'  •*~\.\ 

:; 

1    ■!.     1 

voii! 

i  .le-^' 

•rv(?  !i 

t 

.rt.ll       • 

i;  So 

W 1 ;  ( >1 

V  :it  \ 

,\i 

i  I'TC 

I    1. 

MVi-     S 

."i.l-l 

V 

X|>.'i-t 

iisK' 

V,  fail 

not  !■ 

l-l 

;i!rly 

l5>t'( 

i  ,s!.i\\ 

'1\      oil 

i 

O      III!* 

poi 

MiOII' 

ClJ.l  1. 

:. ' 

.l.-.l- 

— >(•; 

lit'l'lv 

Willi  i 

lllllli 

ilii-h."  iii'i^rnijited   Klm-k-y  in  .a  nlii>»)M'r.     '•  IIo  will   Ii-ar  you.     ll:i 


f 


lio  CO. iili'ifil  ;itUM' H  slmrt  p-m-o,  during   wliicli  tlioy  liiovi'd    on    lo.v.if.'s   tNtt 
iiic-.^  roo'ii,  ■'  yiii  iicgin  to  find  out   Ins  am  !i'>!i'  iuili;;iry  i|  i'liiiii--.  d  >   vti'i  i 


fii   IlK',    Ii  " 


tyiie,  wii;ir  tiie  drucn  lias  |;iit  llt;.'^  (.^'ux 


ti^i 


(•   .  .\p  i!i:  iiMi    iiitw 


I-!  OiVll'.Ml     lll.-l!     \  ou 


lit 

y  'iir  Ik'k!  {      Wlnt  i^re.'it  iiiti-rt'st  do  yoii  take  in  llu's.- 
sli.iiid  \  oliniti'iT  to  Imv  ik  yoiir  .sliii)>  jn  tla-  w.wtd,  t!,;-^  dirk   id  dr,  i>v  the 
p  rpo-^i' of  Mnkiiii:  tin-m,  iUid  tluit  on  t'le  \ory  liay  wlicu  ymv  Ittilyt'  f>ir6 

wi; h  I  rr  |iri'.->(.'iirL'  for 
tli'-  tir»l  time.  Come,  como,  lliaiik  lltadi'.'y  tor  lii>>  r  f;i>.d.  Wia-ii  you  *jt 
(i.iw.i  to-iiiorriw  luoniiii^',  ;ih  I  iiitoiid  you  >liall.  to  •.:  lux  iriois  l)re.i!\t.ist  of 
XfA.  0  ■tl'cc,  fr  fd   Vfiii-oii,  :iM<l   \><\c. 

fO'llI' 


lioi.oiv-;  ilic't*   wall.s,  if  I  may  so  iliL-'nify  our  stiMdvadc. 


:  wiii-at-e'ikt'-,  Vol!    win  llud   no  rca.Miii    to 


I  .ill  of  Irs  ail 


leiviice  to  milrarv  i-nidoiift', 


'•  I^iui-fy,"  ivtunied  Ids  f:  ieiid,  sc;-ioii>ly,  '*  I  c.'ui  liiiv**  no  disirui^c  fr  tn 
yi'ii  tt  siH'li  a  iMomiuit.  Yt»it  know  my  j-i'j^a  d  for  Mar, a  llc\  wood.  alllioi;^fi 
Vol  .•,-.iiii  'l  :li\iiie  lis  dcp'li,  and  coiild  I  but  lie  tlic  means  oi'  saving  i.er 
tail   r,  vou  cau  widl  nudfrstai:;!  tlu-Joy  I  slioiild  fe  1." 

"  e'er  .-liidy.  "uy  dear  Iv.'iiow,  hut  you  know  as  well  a>  mys.dt",  that  r!iv»-o 
exi-ts  lot  i'k-  v'  adow  of  a  liope  of  fids.  Tluit  scarecrow,  Giles,  l;:iil-\vita-il 
a-  !n'  i>,  if'l-  too  straiglitt'orward  a  story.'' 

•*  i'.i'ii^i<'\,"  |M'r-.ivtorl  his  friend,  '"llnre  is  every  hope — every  rou-oiiahlt) 
fv  I  e;>'io!i  tii.'ii  he  inav  vet  .-nrvive.     .Maria  herself  (iisr  opeiu'il  mv  .  ve..  ;o 


t.i'-  noxvUii 


li'V,  for,  iiiiiil  then,  I  hud  tli>nirl»t  as  vou  d  >\  a;;d  deepiv  d 


Words 


i;  iier 


Mi 


.-iiK  ill  my  heart,  wdieii  she -;iid,  re|iroacljfu!ly,  iha!.  iu-^ti-nd  nf  s^rid 
H  narty  lo  (.'.-coi  t  her,  it  would  iiave  been  tar  hetlfr  to  di-pa'eh  ihem  to  [!;o 
t  »"m,  whure  her  father  mi;iht,  at  tluit  imumuit,  he  siistandiiir  a  ^iire — ti.e 
Ii  use  ht'iug  -troDL'  enough  to  adiint  uf  a  teuipiu-ary  del't.  nee,  hy  >.\<-n  a 
<•.  •'  [de  of  persons.'' 

*'  ,\  lid  what  >ai(    \<»u  t;>  that  ?'' 


V\  hat  coiild  1  -UN  {     I  1  loked  like  a  fool,  and  felt  hk.-*  a  ^cdiool- 
_iie — l)ur  I  re^.dvi'd." 


.'.'■:i 


i'e  iron  iMd  ol'  a  pe  :ago 

•*  .\i!d  Wirit  (i  d  yo  I  M'-.iIw.  luy  e':'erp  i-iiig  Lii'ih'  erriiit?" 

*'  You  have   just  hearil  my  propo-al  lo  the  gfiitleMiaii   who  pl.pu'S  \'.xtt 

it'lf  npoji  Ids  military  prudence.''  retiiined  the  youth,  with  hiitt-r  iruny. 


<4 


Yes,  and  he  refused  you.     What  then  f' 

True,  and  what  then,"  and  he  nodded  his  head  iuii-aiieutiy, 


\ 


01 


i: 


:i.--c 


f'l: 


Tii::  KAi.i.  <);■  ciiic \«i<>. 


"  Tou  will  .sii-t-|t  ii|M>!,  .t.  my  ili'iir  ifiiMW.  ;ifu-r  wo  fiiive  had  fi  ^hina  of  tTii 
Monoiijj.ilid  »,  aiitl  liio  |'i|a'.  Tliii->  iv  t.i'>ln.-il,  }  oil  w.ll  tiiiiiU  Ix.'UtT  of  II  ia 
tlif  iiiuriiiiij-.''" 


W 


'111-   iitily  I    iVel  ih.-il  I 
rtMi'lil'e-  MHiiftiiili:;  |M  soolliO.  il  lli»l  u!t-i>Ii|!.  |_v  tu  cXiiihllMli}  liiu  ;   iMit    no  sK'i'|i 


o    will    l.:ivt'   I.. I.'    .Mi)ii"ii;f,iliL'l!i   niKl    t:ie    [iipi-, 


till"  ijie  this  iiijiiii.     K 
♦JUt.  ot'  lln'  ciU?' 


ii>U'y,'    lio  inMctl,  more  Mjiioii.-ly,  "  Vuij  will  iiii>s  iiiti 


i'aiss  \oii  out  (pf  wh.it  J"  exci.iiiiu'il  ihe  other,  st.-iriiiiir  iVom  the  chair  on 
wliicli  Ik;  h.nl  ihrowii  hiipsclt  only  the  iintiiieiil  b^  loio.  "  Wliiil  do  ymj 
aicaii,  mull '(" 

*'  1  mean  that,  as  ollircr  of'  the  ijrii.iri],  you  aloiiy  can  i)a>*s  inc  thnniu'h  ufier 
dark,  ami  tlii>  t^tTvicc  you  must.  riMuIi'i"  me."' 

"  Wii\  !  wlieiv  are  yoii  ^oiii;,' ^  Siii^ie-haiitlei!  li.xo  Jark  the  Gia'it  Killer  to 
deliver,  not  n  i.eaniit'ul  <:amsel  irom  ine  lai!^.>  (»l  a  wiiijL;u>l  moiisier,  hut  a 
toii;^'h  old  hiK^kuiiodsm.iii  tVom  the  dark  paws  ol'  tiie  savjii^e  ?"' 

"  Elin.-,lcy,''  aiiaiii  lU'^ed  tho  ensign,  '"yon  t'oi-get  that  Mr.  Ileywood  is  the 
fatlieruf  my  tntiire  wile." 

"All  I  is  it  come  to  that  nt  last.  Weil,  I  am  ri^ht  glad  of  it.  lint,  my 
•lear  lion.iyno,'' takiiii;;  and  cordially  |»ro-sint;  hii  hand,  Mor^'ivo  my  levity, 
I  only  at'ii^d.;  to  divert  you  from  your  pnijiose.  What  1  can  do  fi^r  \tni,  ( 
will  do;  bnt  tell  me  what  it  is  y.>n  inienii." 

'*  Yet,  Elm>ley,  hel'ore  we  enter  I'liriher  int.>  the  martor,  do  yon  not  tLiiik 
tliiii  yon  will  inr.iir  liie  serious  di>|ileasnro  «>t  .Miliiar.  I'l  i}(lv'n(;e  i" 

'•  if  he  discovers  that  yon  are  i^oiie,  (xrtaiiiiy  ;  .m  .  I  rannoi  see  how  't  can 
bo  oiht'rwise;  ho  wdl  he  in  the  lidL'els  all  ni^xlit,  .and  |n-obal«!y  H.-«k  f*.r  yt/ii, 
but  even  il'  not  l/tcn,  he  will  ini>s  you  on  paraile  in  the  in^rn;!!^." 

"And  what  will  he  the  cunsennenco  to  you?  Answer  me  candidly,  I 
fiiirt  at.'' 

"  Then,  cainlidly,  Uoii.iyne,  the  captain  likes  me  not  well  enough  to  pjis* 
lii:hii\  over  -uch  a  hreacli  of  duty.  The  mo.-t  pcrenipt»)ry  orders  liave,  Mince 
the  arrival  cf  th n  startlin;^  news,  be(Mi  given  not  to  ado.v  aiiy  i>ne  to  leave 
tin.'  lori,  aiii!  (^siiirf  you  wisli  me  to  be  sincere)  should  1  allow  yon  to  pass, 
il  will  go  haul  wi.ii  my  commis-ion." 

''  lloA  fooli.-i.  ot  ine  not  to  have  thought  of  tliat  before!  How  utterly 
stupid  to  a-k  mat  which  I  oUgliL  to  have  known  myscf;  hut  enowgi  ,  K  ms- 
li-v.  1  abaiulon  tlie  tiche.iie  altogether.  You  shall  never  i  icnr  t  lat  rinic  for 
me;' 

'•  Yet  understand  me,"  resumed  the  otlier,  "if  yon  really  tiiiid<  ih.ir  tliero 
i.'^  a  hope  of  its  proving  more  than  a  mere  wild  goose  chasv,  1  will  cherifndy 
incur  tiiat  ri^k ;  but  on  my  luuior,  liouayne,  I  myself  feci  ciuivinced  that 
liot'dng  you  can  i\o  will  avail." 

'•  Not  another  woiil  on  i he  subject,"  answered  Ids  tVieiid  ;  "here  is  what 
will  bani.-b  all  caie,  at  Ka>t  for  the  pieseni." 

His  servant  had  just  entered,  and  deposiicd  on  «hc  nuss-table  Imt  and  cold 
water,  sugar,  iiinc-juice,  pil'cs,  tobacco,  and  ti;ii.blcr.-< ;  when  the  two  (  liiceri 
wiiii  Von  V'»»tteni)erg  who  had  just  Coine  in  fr  piii  u-iting  Mr.  Ileywood,  -at 
down  to  indulge  tiiiir  .•«ocial  iiun.ors.  Whilst  the  latter,  accoidin:,^  to  cus- 
tom, mixtd  the  punch,  w  hich  when  made  was  pronounced  to  be  his  t,7(<y' 
d'ituvre^  Klmsley  amu-ed  himself  with  cuiting  up  the  tabacm,  ami  tiding  the 
liipes.     The  •iii.-ign,  taking  udvantaye  of  their  uccin>aUon.  iiahdged  himselt" 


I!    ir  St  UAiniLF, ;   oi;,  •nii:  iai.l  ok  (muacu). 


63 


, 


In  ft  rov.Tii-  iiiut  i;i-tc'<l  nil  11  till'  Ijcvera:-''.'  liml  lain  ilicl  n-  i  read  v. 

Till'  piv^ence  ot  iho  (locor,  in-  iii^'  as  a  I'liorl;  ii|mmi  tin.'  rurlluT  allii^inii  by 
Vv  tii'.'i'U!^  'm  till'  tnjiUr  that  lia<l  liiilitrto  i'iiuri.>-c(l  tlicii-  at»'ii;i..ii,  iii4 
jiltlc*  coiivi  T-atiun  thai  t'ii>iic(l  vvii-^  of  a  goiici'al  nature,  lu-itlior  of  llu-m, 
lnjwevcf,  jarc'tl  imu-li  i>i  con  riUiiti?  to  ir,  s(»  that  tliw  <loi'loi-  louiid  uiiil  pro- 
ntiiihi'cd  tiieiii  lor  ;liat  evtiiini,' anvtliin.,'  l)iit  onti-rtaiiiiii,'  coiii|aiiioiis.  Ho, 
l»<>>vt'Vt'r,  consolid  liini-i'li  unit  coiioii-  |i<itatioii>  Irom  the  imiii'li-ltowl,  hi<1 
filled  tlie  room  wiili  den.se  cI.hkIh  ot'  ^moke,  that  wert.  in  tlienisclvL-s,  MitH- 
cieiit  to  |iro(hice  tlie  ilroWBii  es8  tluit  Koiiuyne  plcjidoil  in  excuse  ot  !;•■*  'hci 
turnity. 

After  ln«  second  glass,  Elinsl«y,  reminding  the  disign  that  he  expected 
kirn  as  well  as  the  (>uikch-brewer  to  breakfast  with  him  in  the  mornin^r  at 
•ight  o'clock  precisely,  took  his  departure  for  the  guard  room,  for  the 
liglii. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


tt-rly 
ins- 
for 

lieru 

It  lily 

that 
hut 
old 
■at 

Ills- 


lie 


It  was  about  seven  '>'clock  on  the  in(»rniu^  s'coeedini;  the  occnrrcncw! 
letiih'd  in  the  preceding?  cliapttM's,  tluit  l*i  iiieiiant  Elmsk'y  waiti'<l  od  the 
vmimaniinir  ofHcer,  to  r-'latc  that  the  tishin>;  hoat  was  at  len«:lli  in  .sijilit. 
riiesc  tidinj::s  were  communicated  as  Ciptain  lleadley  was  |)repari(ii;  to  sit 
iown  to  breakfast — a  reltvshmerit,  to  whi(;h  tlio  tatii^ue  of  mind  iiiid  body 
ne  had  under^'oiie  durin;^'  the  iii<,'lit  had  not  a  little  disposed  him.  True, 
however,  to  his  character,  he  stayed  not,  f -r  the  meal,  but  instantly  arose,  and 
taking?  his  telescope  accompanied  the  suhiiltern  to  the  tiagauiti'  baiiery,  whence 
the  be>t  view  of  the  river  was  commanded. 

"  Any  thing  to  report,  Mr.  Elm~ley  ;  but  I  pre-urne  not,  or  it  scarcely 
would  hive  been  necessary  fur  me  to  ask  tlie  (piestion  K" 

'*  Nothing,  sir,  of  any  con<e<]nt»nc'»,"  replied  the  lieutenant  after  a  moment's 
hesitation,  "  beyond  a  slight  altercatio?!  that  took  place  between  a  drunken 
Pottowattamie  and  tlie  sergeant  of  the  guard — but  it  was  of  a  nature  too 
trivial  to  disturb  you  about.*' 

''  What  waa  it,  Mr.  Elmsley?''  inquired  his  superior,  abruptly  turning  to 
him. 

"  The  Indian  who  had  probably  ber«»  lying  dead  drimk  diu'ing  the  day 
within  the  Fort,  and  had  evidently  just  auakciied  from  his  sleep,  was  an.xi- 
ous  to  go  to  his  encampment,  but  the  sergeant,  strictly  ol)eyii.g  the  order  he 
had  received  from  me,  refused  to  open  the  ga'e,  which  .seeine(l  to  annoy  the 
Indian  very  much.  At  that  moment  I  came  up.  I  knew  well  of  course  that 
the  order  was  not  meant  to  eite4id  rigidly  to  our  Indian  friends,  the  trreitiV 
ina>s  of  who'll  miirht  be  olfended  by  the  detention  of  one  of  their  nunibei. 
and  I  dedred  tl  o  sergeant  to  pass  him  throiiirh.     Was  I  right,  sir?"' 

"J'  rfectly,  Mr.  El  nsley;  we  niu^t  not  olJVnd  tliose  of  tlie  Indian  tribe* 
that  are  dispose  I  to  be  friendly  to -vard  iis.  for  no  one  kiioivs  how  si»on  we 
7iiay  reipiiie  their  a'd.  Tha  olllcial  aiivices  I  have  lec  -iNed  r.ot  oniy  from 
1  roit  bur  from  Washington  are  of  a  n.atiirt'  to  induce  appreheii-ion  of  hos- 
tilities between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States;  therefore,  it  would  a."! 
jTou  justli'  obsci  ve,  aud  iu^it  uow  iit*fticularly,  be  extremely    had  i)olicy  ro 


I 
60 


'A  ■  '''.v.  ;    '•:; 


■I'lr;    fa; 


oi-  '    "If  A'.;). 


otffii,'   1  :n)  ■'•  'v:.  .'U  it  "  -  -.1   iMi(  !i  (.  ir  n'- '  1'^'  i (.'i.i'v.     >'^]    van  oMLr'it 

',  •  'i;i  i?  rvp  i!!  (j  fi.i  ciriMiii'i  111  ■(.'  L"  nil  .mi  ii't;  h;.'-  i  «>ii  \  m;;' nwii  r''-i»in« 
I  i'tiil'ty.'' 

i/i.-iKi'irt:)!  r.l  :.-!'.'v  )iii  hi-  lip,  awl  ('<  !  1  ^■•■ii'!  •.•!»"  i'<ci;,;il  m  uin'.eMU'Ht  i/ 
l!il[):iiic  Ml'.  '■  I  iii;  l'I.'kI,  linai'v.r,  <'m-,"  .iu  If  II  h' !  .•i!'t.;-  ;i  |i.iii-ii',  "  tiril 
y  '11  liiiil  ii(»  t'lult.  vv;tti  niv  coiiili'cr. ;  I  c<  i  i,-*'  I  !;.".il  sici  •  i:',tli"  iiiiuii'iiie--  ><C 
t!ifit  sc.)it',  for  wil!)  yiHi  I  t'l-lt  ii'.'i;  I  li;i'!  ii:»  ri::!ir  fo  n?;><:;i:H!  t!io  ri««|i(iii<iltii- 
ifv,  Sm  I  ki't'W  iliju  you  .had  rdired  to  ;, o.ir  riiuiii>,  aM<l  I  was  unwillii'g  to 
(hsnii-b  yon." 

'*  You  o!i<:tit  t(»  liave  known,  Mr.  Elrn-ley,  tliat  wluTe  duty  is  couoerned 
I  caij  iit;vir  Ito  ditiirbed.  However,  n  >  marter.  Wlmt  you  did  wa-;  »!..r- 
ri'ctly  ooise;  oidy  in  future,  fail  not  to  inuko  your  ri-port.  Tiie  slijjlttest 
uuiiuilioriziMl  st;",)  luiglit  be  u  false  one,  aud  that,  uudor  all  iliy  circumstances, 
is  t"  1>(5  avoi(U'(l,' 

Wliatovor  tlie  suoalti-rn  tliouirht  of  tie  sceining  self-suflii'ieticy  wliicli  had 
dic't.itel  tlio  coiicl  idiii;x  pfi't  of  the  1  ■(  tiire  of  tlie  c.)ni  naudiiii,' (itiii;i-r,  );« 
Iliad*}  ri't  furtlier  o'lscrv.uion,  aiul  both 'n  silenco  pursued  tiio  reinaiiKier  of 
thrir  sliort  route  to  t!ie  hastiori. 

.Many  of  till'  iiii'!i,  <lit's-el  and  afco  trod  for  the  tiio'-niiiir  p'lrade.  wljirh 
a-'iially  took  j)l  ice  ;i;  almut  nine  o'clock,  .veii-  •j:v^  ,|ii'd  aroa  id,  tt:id  'inxiou^ij 
ir»;c'iinir  Ji"  rt'i|tr".'U',It '"'' the '-o  it  a«  <>'  .  mi  liiiii;'  they  l.ad  d3»H);iirod  ut 
cTci  (\g.;iu  oeholiiiiiu,  Cai>tain  Keailley  drew  hir.  tele-cope  to  ttie  piopoi 
toi'ii^,  and  af:er  looliini;  thruiio;!,  it  a  few  tninuU'.s  — reiiiarki'd — 

"I'liank  lleavtu,  all  is  nifhi — they  a'c  aii  lin-re,  ailliougi)  it  i.>«  sjuito  iii.,<o« 
cnuiitable  to  me  h.iw  they  could  have  iiceii  <ie:aiucd  iiiitil  this  nion.iii;:. 
Aid,  oh!  it  seeais  tiny  have  taken  a  i  t  avy  draiiiiht  .>f  li-.!i,  tor,  althoiiirb  I 
cat  "ot  see  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  th-'r  teel  are  raised  as  if  to  prevent 
rni>liiii;^r  oi-  injur  ii:x  Mitneihiiijf  beneath  i'niu.  Hiit  tioh! !  tiuTe  is  soiuei  hing 
■  rung,  too.  1  ilo  not  see  the  usual  nu.iber  of  inu.>.kels  pj.cd  in  tlio  !*tern. 
How  can  ihi    be,  .Mr.  Kliii>!ey  V 

"I'crliaps  tlnre  is  not  the  .same  nuiiil-..r  of  men,"  siitrpsted  the  lieutenant 
— 'Some  of  them,  \\>r  causes  connected  v.ith  their  de.enlion,  mav  be  coming 
by  land." 

"  N<  t  at  all.  There  are  seven  men.  I  think  seven  men  coni[M)se  the 
6sliiug  party  ;  do  t:iey  not  if"' 

"Six  men,  liesid.  s  the  noii-commis.sioai'd  ollicor ;   ves,  sir." 

"  I  can  make  out  ("orpir.ii  Nixon,  tor  .le  is  ^Iee^ill^  ami  facing  mo,  but  f<>t 
the  others,  1  do  not  know  tlieiii  well  I'lioULdi  to  disiinguisli.  Here,  Mr. 
EliiiHley.  take  the  glass,  aiul  try  what  you  can  make  ot   tlieiu." 

11  0  lieutenant  g.azed  throiign  the  glu-^s  a  nutiiient,  and  then  pronounced 
liiJi'C  alter  liame,  as  the  nnn  >everally  I'ame  under  the  range  of  the  lens. 
'' Yes,  .«.ir,  as  you  say,  there  is  C  irjior  .i  Ni.xtui  steering — then,  witli  their 
b.icks  to'Ti's,  and  pnllint:,  are  lir-t,  Coll. '.is,  thi'ii  Green,  then  .)ai'k>ori,  theu 
^V.•^|(»u,  then  C'a^-,  and  theJi  ruilios.  l>it  what  they  have  in  the  boltoir. 
of  liie  boat,  for  I  now  can  r-ee  that  plain   'iioiigii,  is  not  ti>li,  sir,  but  a  human 

\  ..^  I     if    !^    ;,,,1..,.,!    fl...    I.'....,,..!, 


body,  and  a  d.'g  (Uoin  bed  iit  iis  sak 
'g  -I.oiip  (i.irou. 


t  CN 


it  is  indeed  tl 


'ren>'hmaii  a 


^N'ell,  I  want  to  know"'  eX(d;iiine<l    \pliraiin  Giles,  who  had  a^cemled 


the  iia-lioii,  and   now  ^tooii  amid  tiie 


rou 


|t   of   n:en,   *'  1    take   it,   that   if 


^ 


V 


tiiat'd  Loup  Gii!  ou,  his  uiaster  cuu't  be  lar  utt'.     I  uevor  kuowed  ilieiu  lo  be 


i>?itr'>t 


11  .!{•>-<  i  \Hr.K  ;   o  J,  Tii;:  :v!i,  ok  ciiU'Aao. 


07 


"  Yc-i,  sir,  tlmt  is  cei'tuinly  a  iiem]  body,"  piirstied  the  lieutenant — "hmuio- 
l>!*>ly  kilietl  ut  tlie  (;inii,  no  (iuultt.  ll.ive  you  any  ()i-»ler>  fur  tlio  diivi-tiou 
i»t  liie  pariy,  whun  iliey  land,  air?"'  ho  iuqijired,  us  he  handed  back  the  gla*j« 
to  rise  <'a|il-iiii. 

"Ju.stdejire  the  drum  to  beat  to  parade,"  was  the  answer.  "  It  wants 
only  a  t'l-w  minutes  of  puiird-iiiouniing.  and  by  the  ti?ne  the  men  have  t.ilU-n 
hi,  and  the  roil  is  called,  the  boat  will  be  here.     Whtre  is  Mr.  Iit)nayuo?" 

"I  havo  not  seen  him  this  mornii  g,  sir,  but  believe  that  he  is  in  iiifl 
own  rooms,  lie,  however,  knows  the  hour,  and  doubtless  will  be  here 
presently." 

"  When  the  men  have  fallen  in,  come  and  rejiurt  to  me,"  said  t'te  captain, 
as  he  descended  irom  the  bastion,  and  i*T-o«jeeded  to  his  own  quarters,  lo  eat 
Iris  untastuJ  breakfast. 

The  lieu;eiiaiit  toudied  his  ci\p  in  absent,  and  then,  having  despntclied  a 
man  with  orders  tj  the  temporary  drinn-major,  cro-sed  over  to  the  apart- 
ments of  the  etisign,  anxir.us  not  only  to  excuse  himndf  tor  not  beinir  able 
to  receive  his  Iriend  to  his  own  hnraktinn,  at  the  liour  he  had  named,  hut  to 
prej>are  hiti:  tor  the  reception  of  the  body  of  Air.  IK-ywood,  whivh  he 
doubled  not,  was  that  now  on  its  way  t\>r  interment  at  his  own  hon-e. 

On  entering  tlie  »nes^-room,  in  which  iliey  had  takcii  their  punch,  the 
previiMis  cveniiiL',  everything  bore  evidence  of  a  laic  di-nanch.  Aslies  at:d 
tobacco  were  lilit-rally  strewed  upon  the  taUle,  while  around  the  tnipiy 
bowl,  were,  in  some  disonkr,  pipes  and  glasses --one  ot  each  empiicd  nt  aW 
but  the  ashes  and  si'<ii>utnt — the  i>tiier  two  oiily  halt-sniokt-'',  l.all-fiill,  and 
btanding  amid  a  pool  (»f  wet,  which  had  evidently  hei-n  spilt  by  a  no:  \or^ 
steady  hand.  Tlie  windows  were  clnsed.  so  that  ihe  smoke  clung  to  wlir.l 
little  furniture  there  wa-i  in  tiie  room,  and  the  wiinle  scent  of  tlie  place  wat 
an  aboiu)iiable  compound  of  st»de  tobaico  and  s;rong  wiii>ky. 

A  loml.siioring  in  the  r«>oiii  on  his  right  ;itti acted  his  attention.  Ik-kne.v 
that  it  W4S  Von  \'ott ',11  berg's,  and  he  t-nteied  to  s',e  what  had  kept  iiii.i  ia 
l»*  1  u'-ui  thit  'a'e  lii)ii'-.  Til.'  s'lryeon,  oidy  half  undressed,  was  ( 
not  within,  but  m  the  out.-ide  of  the  hed-dothes,  tiomcwiiai  dis).  a^ied  al 
the  sight,  for  Eimsley  was  comi>aratively  ab,>temious,  lie  .shook  liim  lui  very 
fently,  when  the  doctor,  opening  ids  eyes  wiih  a  stai  t,  haIl-ro>e  upon  last 
•Ibow.  '*ila!"  he  (Exclaimed,  ''I  know  you  mean  to  say  that  bieakta.Hl  is 
waiting;  I  had  forgotten  all  al)oiit  it,  oM'tVlJow." 

"I  mean  nothing  of  the  kind,"  wa»  ihe  r.  ply,  '' but  I  recommend  you  to 
lose  1:0  time  in  dretoing  and  turning  out.  Tlie  mon  are  already  on  parade, 
and  if  Captain  Iteadley,  tinding  that  you  are  absent,  sends  over  iiere  to 
intpure  the  cause,  1  wonid  not  give  mucli  for  your  future  chances  of  swal- 
lowing v\idsky-|)unch  wiihin  the  walls  of  Oiicagn." 

"Ell?  what!  what!"  splnttiivd  the  surgeon,  as  he  jum])cd  up,  drew  on 
his  boots,  dipped  his  face  in  a  ba-in  of  water,  and  hasiily  comph-ied  hi:) 
toilet.     In  le*>  ih.m  live  uuniites  he     a-*  on  parade. 

Meanwhile,  Lieutenant  Kiuisley,  at.er  giMng  this  warning,  had  jiasseJ 
again  llmtngh  tiie  mess-room,  and  knocked  at  Kitna_)  ne's  diicr.  livl  there 
was  no  an-wei-. 

*'  ililloa,  iionayne,"  ho  called  loudly,  as  he  turned  the  handle  cf  the  latch, 
•*  are  you  t.i  bed  too  f" 


\h^ 


t 

1  hi 


I" 


08 


iiAni»s<'ir  M'.iiin  ;   (»u,  Tiir.  kai.i.  nr  <  mk  .vio. 


'|)Ut  no  'Ri>!i;iviie  \v;i>^  ;lu  I'l'.      II. 
liH<l  hecii  l:ii<l  iiiiDii,  1*111  iio  line  ii.i 


'1    Mt     I'll-    1. 


icrl 


I. 


!<,•  rlii;iiv.- 


WliHl, 


li;!ck  U)  Voii  Vi>i( 


VV!l>     I    :U     -1   ■..'.•lllll!^" 


•r    llll.- 


1     U    tfW    ^iKIIIKli; 


ll:o    li)Ct 


iU'!:iV. 


It 


tK 


»-ii;/i'r. 


OI'lll. 


biit,  llii-  i.il'iT  \v;i-  Mill';*'!}  :i<'Uo.      Ucl;  Uflnjj 


liis  .-t<'|)S,  he  iiiel  ll<'ii.i\  lie  >  >c"rv;il;l  I'litiiiiii:  ai  tim  na-jj-^-iuici  tloor. 


Where  is  voiir  mailer  i"  he  iii(jiiii'e< 


ilovv  ia  il  iha!  hu  la  uot  in  his 
room— luis  not  heen  iti  bed  if' 

■'  Nol  lieen  ill  boil  ?"'  repeated  tlic  hid,  with  siir|)i  i>e.  "  Why,  fir,  he  told 
me  last  nigiit  that  he  was  very  drowt  -  and  .should  lie  late;  and,  timl  he 
mighin't  he  disturhid,  he  desired  me  lo  ieep  in  one  of  the  hloek- houses.  1 
v\as  only  lo  wake  him  in  time  tor  guar.,  mounting,  anil  a>  ri  wants  but  ten 
minutes  to  that,  I  am  just  come  to  call   rim." 

"Clean  out  the  mess-room  directly — open  the  windows,  and  put  every 
thing  ill  order,"  said  the  lieutenant,,  fear'  i„'  that  Captain  lleadley  might,  on 
hearing  of  the  ab>eiice  of  tlie  young  offit- r,  pay  his  tiuarters  a  visit  in  search 
of  some  clue  to  ilie  cause.  "  1  see  it  al , '  he  mused,  as  ho  moved  acro.ss  the 
I'.arade-ground.  "lie  would  not,  irenero.is  fellow,  get  m*i  into  a  scrape,  by 
making  me  privy  to  his  deMiiin.  and  to  K\oid  the  ditticnlty  of  the  gate,  has 
got  over  the  i)ieket-.  somewhere — yet,  ir  s(»,  he  must  base  had  a  rope,  and 
as,>i,-Jtance  of  some  kind,  for  he  never  c  >uld  have  crossetl  them  wiihotit. 
Yet,  where  can  lie  he  gone,  and  what  C'  ;:ld  tie  have  expected  t(»  result  fifiii 
his  mad  scheme?  Had  he  wjiited  until  low,  he  would  iiftve  known  by  '.he 
unival  ol  the  li>hiiig  party  with  their  -..ci  cliarge,  how  utterly  useless  was 
ail  this  risk." 

'' NVoil,  Mr.  Elmsley,"  .Slid  the  c»pijr:i,  who  now  appeared  at  the  front 
01  his  own  door,  fiiily  dressed  f«>r  {laratit,  and  i)repariiig  tu  issue  torth  iu  all 
Ihe  siateliness  of  comnand. 

"The  parade  is  loiimd,  >ir,"  remarked  the  Ueuteuiint,  confusedly,  "but  I 
cannot,  tind  t!io  otiicer  of  tl  e  guard." 

"Sirl"  exclaimed  C;iptiiin  lleadley, 

"  1  cannot  tind  Mr.  Koiiiiyne,  sir — 1  Imve  myself  been  over  t<»  his  quarters, 
And  looked  into  iii>  bed-room,  but  it  is  tlxir  tliat  he  has  not  been  in  bed  all 
night," 

"  What  is  the  meaning  of  all  this?  Send  Doctor  Von  Vottenherg  here 
iininedi.'itelv." 

And  lucky  was  it  for  that  gintleina:i  llnit  the  ofticer  who  now  desired 
his  atteiid.'tnce  on  the  coinmandant  l.i>d  routed  him  iVoiii  th:it  Lelhcaa 
hliimber  in  which  he  had  been,  (iily  a  lew  minutes  behne,  so  luxt.riously 
indulging. 

"  Doctor  Von  Vottenherg,"  commen  'ed  the  captain,  ns  soon  as  that 
iiflicial  made  his  appeaiance  l>elore  him;  "you  ;ire  tpuiitered  with  Mr. 
Koiiayne.  Have  you  seen  Miiy  thing  of  him  last  idLdit  or  this  iiKtriiing — in 
•  vasiit  •,  njiv.'' svciiig  llinl  ihe  dt.i'inr's  orow  higaii  t<»  he  oveichiiidt'd,  '' • 
mean  U)  attempt  to  slneiii  tlio  yo.r.g  man  by  a  s/i|)pressu»u  ot  th« 
tnitl  ." 

"  1  certainly  saw  him  last  iii;;h!,  Caj  i  kin  Headley,  hut  not  at  a  very  late 
li^nr.  We  took  a  glass  or  two  .»f  pi  eh,  u/id  smoked  a  tniple  ol'  pipes 
log.tlur,  !>ur  we  hotli  went  !-.»  bod  en:  >,  and  tor  my  parr,  1  kiirw  tliat  { 
fciept  M)  soundly  as  lo  have  heard  uothi',;;— seen  iioihing,  until  1  got  up  ihi< 
uiuruitig.'* 


^ 


nARDSf  UABBI-E  ;    oR,    THE    FAIL  Or   tlllCAOO. 


69 


Tlie  oocfor  Bjiolte  trnly  ns  to  t>  ••  time  of  tluMi-  retinincnt  to  r6?t,  for  the 
cnsi>;ii  li;ul  I'-t'i  iiiJi!  ejiriy  in  ilie  i  ;,'lir,  while  liy  li.ni  loin  d  iiis  way  n»  iiis  ( 
be 


<wn 


L'tl,  OlllV   Ml   !l:e  III')! 


1 


lie    iMijit   is   iie.-ini  ..   i 


III-  l;u   /ui^'-ilaco,  .sir,'"  it'i>oi-ti'«l    the  scijj:^  ;iiit  of 
tlie  jriiiird,  wlio  now  cuii.o   ni-,  ,ii  •;  luuio  iiiUJK'di!itt.ly  ut.Ui\s»cd  Lit'aur.unt 


Ill-ll'V 


II. 


Till-'  iiiforiiiatioii,  for  'li-  iii.ii!i  .  r,  hatiislicd  tlic  subject  uikUt  ili--i'ii---io 
Let  the  men  pile  tiieir  ani.s,"  (..'lered  Captain  Ik-adley;  '•  uiid  when  thio  u 


iiie  ro  '  lie  iaiidiii}i-|>i  iCe, 


duiie,  Mr.  Ehiisiey,  tollii\\ 

ill  a  few  minutes  huih  ..iiieei  t  were  tliere.  Tiiw  boat  was  within  titty 
yards,  when  the  subaltern  j.iiiuMi  his  c.ijitain;  and  the  oar>men.  evidently 
de>ir(iiis  of  doiij;  theii-  lie-t  in  the  |.ie.seiiee  of  the  ct)iiiniantling  otlicer,  were 
jiiilhiig  .-ilently  uiid  wiiii  a  vigt  i'  that  soon  brought  it  to  its  accu.-tonied 
berth. 

*•  What  body  is  tliat,  Corporal  Vixon  ?"  inquired  the  latter,  "and  bow  is  it 


tlia 


ilyl 


von  are  only  here  iliis  iiiorii! 


?' 


^^ 


If 


"  t^ir,"  answered  the  corporal,  r.jmoving  one  of  bis  bands  from  the  steer- 
oar,  and  re.'ipei'itully  tonciiinj,'  In-  cap,  "it's  poor  Le  Noir,  the  Frenchman, 
kili«.-'.i  by  the  Iiijins  \e>ierday,  and  as  for  our  absence,  it  eouhln't  be  helped, 
sir;  but  it's  a  long  repnri  1  havi  io  make,  and  periiaps,  ca[)taiii,  yon  woeid 
lii\e  to  liear  it  mere  at  leisure  tij  ui  I  can  tell  it  liere." 

liy  this  time  the  men  b.td  lane  ci  from  the  boat,  leaving  the  Ginadia'i  to 
be  disposed  of  atterwards  as  ti.e  comiiiandin;.^  otlicer  mi:zbt  direct.  Tiie 
quick  eye  of  the  latter  immedii  dy  detected  the  .•.li<,dit  limping  of  Green, 
who.-e  wound  ii;id  become  siitf  I  'in  neglect,  Cold,  and  the  cramped  pooitica 
in  which  he  bad  been  siiiiiit;  in  t'  e  itoau 

"  Wiiat  is  tiie  matter  witii  ^hi^  ..laii  ?"  lie  inquired  of  the  corporal.  ''  "What 
makes  him  walk  --o  stilly?"' 

'*  Nothing  imich  the  flatter,  ci;)tain,"  was  tlie  indilVerent  reply, 
only  a  Imli  he  got  in  Id-  leg  in  tl  <  scrimtiiage  last  iiignt." 

"  ila  I  the  lir.-<t  giin-shot  wonn  ;  that  has  come  under  my  treattn^at  during 
tlie  tliiee  long  years  I  have  beer  .'latioiied  here,  y'*-''^*  •">"  ^'"*^  ftllow,  take 
yourseli  to  'the  lio>pital,  and  tell  .;ie  orderly  to  [irepare  my  instruments  for 
jirobiiig.'" 

"S«;rimm;!ge  last  night;  what  lo  you  mean,  Corporal  Nixon — whom  had 
you  the  .scrimmage  wi'. h  ?" 

Tiie.-e  remarks  fell  at  the  sam  *  monieiit  from  the  lips  of  the  c<<miiiander 
tnd  tiiose  t)f  the  siir;:»'.iii,  tlie  lu'i.-:*  rubbing  his  iiands  with  deli/htful  antioi- 
I»a:ion  ot  the  treat  in  store  tor  h  m. 

"  With  the  Indians,  ca[«taiii,"  replied  Nixon  ;  "the  Indians  that  att.acked 
Wr.  lleywoods  hirni." 

"L'apia'ii  Ileadle;.,"  iiiterru|itc<'  the  lieuteiiair,  with  unusual  detereiice  of 
matiiier,  f"r  h<»  \\a-  anxious  that  :.o  tiiither  lefeienci-  should  he  made  u.  lh« 
BU'jecL  in  presence  oi  tlie  iinaP  'sand  women,  who,  atiracte<l  by  the  news 
01  the  arri\ai  of  th*'  !uat.  had  g;  tiered  around,  partly  tVom  c.irio<ity,  partly 
f.T  the  ptirpi-e  ol  gf'i  uil:  t  lu-ir     x] ed  ni;ii|i1\  nt'  fi- i,  '"  I'o  you  not   tl  ink 


it  b»  tier  tl'  eXaiiLi  ■    » 
Mr    !•; 


rat 


ill  111 


h<-ii  Ih 


III  till  n  t 


er\   tri.e, 


•'}.  I  \^  .  1  eX;,iiiiiie  tlu-ii:  >-»'p;;r.iteIy  in  the  iideriy- 
fMom  to  >ee  h(n\  t,ir  liiir  >tij.>'iiieii  •»  a::rer;  yd  on.-  (|iie-  ii):i  ynu  enil 
•Udwer   iicie,  corj,.»i  al.      Vmi    >kj    that    it   i^thelio.,^  i>|    !,»•  No. r.  killed  by 


70 


HARD8CRABBLR  ;    OR,   THK  PALI.  OF  CHICAGO. 


the  Indinns.    "Where  Is  Mr.  ITeywooil,  tlicn?" 

The  getienms  Eliii>li*y  fell  fuiiir,  nb-oluiely  siick  ftt  heart  or.  heuring  ifiij 
qtjeHtioii;  the  very  ohj.-ct  I.e  h.-id  in  view  in  propo-iii;,'  litis  |)rivatL'  (S-inni'a- 
tuMi  was  fluT.hv  i  h!>""*('ti<-'i  •'•iiti  ili<('"iiifiriire. 

"  Mr.  Hey  wood  has  been  carried  off  hy  tlie  Indians,"  cahnly  repliea  thi 
0orpor>iil.  yet  perceptibly  paling  us  ho  spoke. 

'* Indeed!  tiii-i  is  unfortunate.  Let  the  men  go  to  their  barracks,  and 
there  roii»ain  until  I  ^end  for  tiiein,"  ordered  the  coininanditnt.  '*  You,  cor- 
poral, will  coijio  to  me  at  the  orderlj-rooin,  in  half  un  hour  from  tliis.  That 
will  be  auffioient  time  fo>*  you  to  clean  yourst'lf,  and  lake  your  breakfiist. 
None  of  your  oarty,  I  prwiuine,  have  had  their  breakfast  yet?" 

''No,  your  honor,"  answeru(l  Gret-n,  who  si'^umd  to  fsmcy  that  his  wound 
j5j4v«  him  the  pnvile;^o  of  a  lutle  license  in  the  presence  of  his  chief,  "not 
unloiis  an  old  turkey,  the  grandfather  of  tifty  broods,  and  as  tough  as  shoe* 
Iballier,  can  be  called  a  brt-ukfast." 

Oapiain  llcadley  looked  nt  the  speaker  sternly,  but  took  iio  other  notice 
of  wiiai  he,  evidently,  deemed  a  very  trieat  liberty,  than  to  deinan  1  how  he 
prehutned  to  dis(»bey  the  order  of  liie  siiige'>n.  Tiien  de-irini;  liim  to  pro- 
ceed tbrih  with  r,o  the  liosj»i;.il  ami  have  Ids  leg  dressed,  he  himself  withdrew 
after  postpntiing  tiie  |>arade  to  one  ••'clock. 

''Antl  are  voti  sure,  Nixon.  inal  Mr.  llevwood  has  been  c.irric<l  otfbv  t,h« 
Indians,  asked  Lieutenant  i^lin-Ii-y,  the  reviilsiun  of  wiiose  teeiings  on  hear- 
ing the  corporal's  answer  to  the  jnestidn  put  by  Captain  lleaill'?y  had  been 
m  stiriktR^  oo:itras'„  wirli  wi.tt,  lio  had  0Xi/v.-rieuGed  ouly  a  i.»oiuout  before; 
*'are  you  quite  sure  of  thisT' 

The  interrogaivtry  was  put,  immediately  after  the  commanding  ofBcer  had 
retired,  doubiingly,  in  a  U)w  tone,  and  apart  fnun  the  rest  of  the  laen. 

"I  saw  them  carry  him  otf  myself,  sir,"  again  deliberately  said  the  cor- 
poral.    "The  whole  of  the  party  saw  it  too." 

**  Enough,  oiiongh,"  jxirsued  the  lieutenant,  in  a  friendly  tone.  '*  I  believe 
you,  Nixon.  But  niuuher  question.  Were  you  joined  last  night  l>y  any 
one  of  the  regiment  ?  recollect  yourself." 

The  corporal  declaring  that  nothing  in  the  shape  of  an  .Vmerican  unifi»rtc 
had  come  under  his  notice,  since  he  departed  from  the  Fort  the  preceding 
evening,  the  otficer  next  turned  his  at'eiiiioit  to  tiie  boat. 

*'  What  are  yon  fumbling  about  tiser:},  (loilins?"  he  asked,  ratlier  sharp|\  — 
**  Why  do  you  not  go  and  join  your  p  ess  f"  'I'l  is  was  said  as  the  rest  of  the 
party  were  now  in  tlie  act  of  moving  off  with  their  muskets  and  (i«ii!iig 
apparatus, 

•*  Poor  fellow  I"  interposed  the  corporal,  ''  he  is  not  himself  to-day  ;  bnt  I 
am  sure,  Mr.  Elmsley,  you  will  not  be  hard  upon  him,  when  I  toll  you  that, 
but  for  iiim,  there  wouldn't  be  a  man  of  ns  here  of  the  whole  party." 

"  Itideed  !"  exclaimed  the  lieutenant,  not  a  little  surprised  at  the  informa- 
tion ;  "  but  'y\3  shall  hear  all  about  that  presently  ;  yet  what  is  he  fidgetiiug 
about  at  the  Ixxtom  (»f  the  b«)W  of  the  boat?" 

"There's  another  body  there,  sir,  besides  Lo  Noir's.  It's  that  of  the  poor 
boy  at  Ileywood's — m  Indian  scalped  him  and  left  hitn  for  dead.  Collins, 
who  put  a  bullet  into  the  same  fellow,  not  an  hour  afterwards,  found  the  boy 
by  accident,  while  retreating  from  the  place  where  we  had  tlie  Prst  scrim- 
mage with  tixe  red  devils,     lie  was  still  bruatiiing,  and  lit?  took  every  paiiM 


HARDSCRABBLE  ;    (  R,    HIE   FALL   OF   CHICAQO. 


71 


to  recover  Mm,  but  tlio  coM  iiiu'l!'  air  was  too  niucli  for  liitn,  and  h?  died  in 
tli«  poor  t\.'ll.i\v">  nr.iH.'" 

"  Well,  tliis  is  ji  striii"-''  i  iilit'.-  Klvcutiirp,  or  r-itlier  scries  iy^  rt(lveiitn:e4," 
remark.' d  tiie  lieilli'iiMn:  ii  ilf  iV  ide  lo  liini>cU'.  ''Tln'ii,  I  suiijmiso,"  |i« 
re-uiie<I,  more  iimneiliaielv  'KMr-  siiii;  ilie  corporMl,  ''lie  hsm  bi»»i:gliL  tli« 
body  I  if  till.'  boy  to  liiUf  liini  iht(  r  cm!  with  \a'  Nuir?" 

"  Just  so,  sir,  lor  lie  inini.  iis  him  is  if  lie  liiid  b'eii  Id-;  own  child,"  answi-rod 
Nixoii,  MS  the  otficer  t!f|i.irted — "lure,  L'-iiji  tiaron,  Loiip  Ci;uo;!'"iuid  ha 
whi>lled  to  the  doj^.    '•  Co'iin  .'ihrnir,  old  fellow,  and  iret  some  hreakfasi  " 

IJiit  Loup  Garou  woiili!  ;i  J  >ii-'  at  the  c'dl  of  his  iivw  ina-ier.  Sorrow 
was  the  only  (east  iti  uhieh  he  seeinod  inclined  to  iiiduit:e,  and  he  continued 
to  crouch  near  the  body  <»f  tlio  driadianus  impassible  and  motionless  &»  if 
h«  wa>i  no  longer  of  tan  h  hini-el'", 

"Come  nlon<.%  Collins,"  pi-ntly  ..rjred  the  Vir^ritiian,  approach! nor  the  boat, 
wbero  t'le  termer  was  still  feelii';r  tin-  bo-iom  of  the  «'ea<l  hov,  in  the  >'aiD 
fiojie  or  fi.iiiiiij.'  that  life  wan  not  ;..)t  extinct.  "  It's  no  use  thinkin;.'  j.lxiflt  it; 
you  have  done  your  duty  as  a  so!  lier,  and  as  a  i.n)(td  man,  but  you  see  ho  is 
gone,  and  there  i-^  no  ln-jp  t'oi  it.  liy  ai;d  by.  we  will  bury  rhein  both 
together;  but  come  alonj:  now.     The  dog  will  let  nobody  near  them." 

"  Da-h  me,  corporal,  if  I  ev^r  f^-It  so  queer  in  my  lilel"  an^werid  (Jollina, 
in  a  melanrholy  tone.  5troii>,dy  in  contrast  wiih  his  habitual  Itru^-cpie  gaiety  ; 
"but,  as  you  say,  it's  no  us.-.  Tint  poor  ]a<l  is  dead  eiioutdi  at  last,  and  my 
only  Comfort  now  is  to  l)m-y  him.  .md  sometimes  look  at  his  grave." 

The  halt-liour  given  by  Captain  Ilea<lley  to  the  men  ';<>  clean  themselves 
and  eat  their  breitkfasts,  .itfordt-d  ids  subaltern  ample  time  to  take  his  own, 
which  li:id  all  this  time  been  wai  uig.  When  he  rea<;lieil  his  rooms  .^e  found 
that  he  had  anoiher  oi-<ital  to  go  'iiroiigb.  Mrs.  Elm--Iey  wa>  already  al  the 
head  ot  the  table,  and  pouring  oi-  the  coflee,  with  Miss  lleywood  seated  oa 
l.fr  left — the  l.itler  very  pale,  and  having  evidently  pa.-<sed  a  sleepless  night. 
Ah  the  ollicer  entered  the  roon  ,  a  slight  liu>li  overspread  lier  feature.s,  for 
eiie  h)oked  as  it'  she  exptcied  hii.i  to  be  accompanied  by  anotner,  but  when 
be  li;i>tily  uidmckled  his  sword,  lud  placed  it,  with  his  cap,  on  aside-table, 
de.siring  his  wife  to  lo-e  no  time  m  |)ouring  out  the  cotfee,  as  he  must  be  off 
again  immediately,  she  felt,  she  k  lew  not  wherefore,  very  sick  at  heart,  and 
became  even  pnlcr  than  before.  Xor  was  she  at  all  re-usbured  by  the  tone 
of  eomnu.se: af.on  in  which,  aft'  ■  drawing  a  chair  to  her  side,  and  atfeo- 
tionately  pressing  her  hand,  he  -ncpiired  after  her  own  and  her  motlmr's 
bealth. 

"  Why,  Ceorge,"  s;d<l  Mrs.  Ivmcley,  who  remarked  this  change  in  ber 
friend,  ami  in  xime  degree  divinni  the  cause,  "  w  here  aie  .Mr.  lionayne  and 
the  doctor^  Yt)U  tohi  me  last  nuht  they  were  to  breakfast  here — an<l  see, 
Dtie,  two,  three,  four,  five  cups  -  pointing  at  e;irh  wiih  lei-  linger),  I  have 
prepared  accordingly.  Jtideed,  I  -carcely  ilniik  ibis  young  lady  Would  have 
nrnde  her  appearance  .it  the  i>rea'vlast-tal)le,  had  she  not  expected  to  mcei  — 
wiio  was  it,  my  dear^"  and  she  f  .rued  an  arch  lonk  upon  her  trieiid — '•  ab  I 
1  know  now — Vtin   \'(ttienb.-rg.'' 

"Nay,  1  have  im.  "I.  lec!  ;>f  di-gui-e  ti'in  V'  iir  hnsl>and  than  friiu 
yorrse'!.  Ma  g'  re;,"  rej  iuil  Mi->  leyM>  <1.  In-r  col'  i  n:^  ejutk  in  a  me.'ihnre 
ct'iiuiidw  ling  hfr  «or.;.» — "it  v.  i.«*  Harry  Ihu  ayie  I  exi'tcfe':;  but,"  t^ha 
«d«ieii,  With  a  li*tni  suiiic,  '*i.o  ni>L  iii.aig.Kj  1  am  ^liiit  >>  luinai  tic  uo  uut  tu 


H 

I 

is 


nAUnaCHABBLE  ;    OK,    THE   FAIJ-   OK   CHICAOO. 


;■ 


"be  ftl)le  to  lake  my  breakfast,  because  lie  is  not  present  to  share  ft;  tberefore 
if  VDii  pK'.ise.  I  also  will  tioiiMe  you  lor  a  c^iip  of  cot!"  <•.'' 

"All  in  good  time,"  remarked  Mis,  liluisley.  "1  (Ime  sfiy,  Ronayne  is 
enL^a/.-ed  in  some  duty  vvliich  lias  prcvi  nted  liim  IVoiii  keeping  ids  enjra^e- 
lueiil  as  punctually  as  ]ie  could  have  de&iitu  Wo  shall  eertainly  see  Inin 
befive  the  breakfast  things  are  removed." 

"  It  seems  to  me,"  said  her  husband,  who  was  takijig  his  meal  with  the 
appetite  of  any  other  than  a  hungry  man,  and  even  with  a  shade  of  vexation 
on  his  features,  "that  you  all  appear  to  be  very  much  in  the  dark  here. 
Why,  Margaret,  have  you  not  heard  what  has  occurred  during  the  night,  as 
well  as  this  morning  if" 

"  Ilow  sl.'oidd  1  have  iieard  any  thing,  George  ?"  replied  Mrs.  Elmsley.. 
"I  have  seen  no  one  since  yo'i  went  out  this  moining — who  could  have 
comnHiiiicated  news  from  witho'it?     Surely  you  otight  to  know  that.     Will 
you  have  more  Cullee?" 

"No,  thank  you — 1  have  no  ai»i»eiiie  for  cotVee  or  for  any  thing  else.  I 
almost  wi-h  1  had  not  come.  l)ear  Maria,"  he  aild'-d,  iniptttiou^ly,  taking 
Miss  Iley  wood's  liand  in  his  «iwn;  "  I  know  you  have  a  noble — a  courageous 
heart,  and  can  hoar  i.hiloM.phically  vsliai.  I  have  t.>  tell  y-'U." 

"1  can  b<.:ir  mut  h,"  was  liie  leplv,  aieoiiipanied  liv  a  foiTcd  smile,  ilia*, 
was  Contradicted  by  the  ijuiviiing  of  tiie  eoinpresx'd  lip;  "  and  if  1  coidil 
not,  I  fir.d  I  must  b.gin  t"  learn.  Y»t  wh.it  can  \  on  have  to  tell  me,  my 
dear  Mr.  Elmsley,  more  than  I  alr^'ady  divine — i'.i\  poor  tatiier — "  and  the 
tears  started  from  lur  eyes. 

"Ha!  there  at  least,  1  have  comfort  for  you — although  there  *ias  Wen 
Had  work  at  the  t'arm  — ihc  fi-hiii::  nurtv  lia\e  c..i)\it'  in  will  the  b<Hlies  o' 
p<H)r  I-o  Noir  aiul  the  boy  Wilton,  bat  they  all  say  that  Mr.  lleyuwod  wa» 
carrietl  otf  a  prisoner  by  the  Indians." 

"  Carried  olF  a  prisoner,"  repeated  Miss  ITey  wood,  a  sudden  glow  animatintj 
lier  pale  features— "oli !  Eluslev,  thank  y<)ii  for  thai.  Tiu-re  i^  .siill  a  hope 
then  r 

"There  is  indeed  a  hope;  but,  dearest  Mi-vS  IIoywoMod,  why  must  I  lie.il 
with  one  hand  and  W(»imd  with  ttie  other.  If  I  give  compaiativo  go  .«1 
news  of  your  father,  there  is  aiu)lher  who  ought  lo  be  here,  and  whose 
absence  at  this  nioim-nt  is  to  me  at  once  a  paiti  ami  a  my.-ter>." 

"You  mean  Harry  lionayno  T' she  ^ai(l,  hesitatingly,  but  without  mani- 
festing surprise. 

"  Where  the  foolish  fellow  has  g<Mie,"  he  continued,  "I  do  not  kno>v,  i>t:t 
he  baa  disappeared  from  the  Ft>rt,  iu>r  lias  he  left  the  slightest  clue  by  wiiicli 
he  may  be  traced." 

"Does  Captain  Headley  know  this  if"  she  imjuired,  recollecting  that  part 
of  the  co!iversaii(Ui  that  had  passed  between  them  the  preceding  day,  iu 
reference  to  the  succor  that  mi;.dit  have  been  ulforded  at  the  farm. 

"  He  does.  1  made  the  report,  of  lionayne's  absence  to  him  personally, 
and  the  doctor  was  smnmoned  to  state  if  he  had  seen  any  thing  of  him. 
He,  however,  was  as  ignorant  as  a  nuiii,  who  had  been  drunk  during  the 
night,  and  was  not  yet  (piite  sober  iu  the  morning,  could  well  be.  The 
captain  was  as  much  sar|u-i«ed  as  displeased,  but  furtiier  impiiry  was  delayed 
on  the  sergeant  of  the  guard  coming  np  and  announcing  the  near  approach 
uf  i\m  boat  cuutaiuiug  the  lisldng-part^." 


1 


nAirsritAnnij:;  ou,  the  fall  op  cnicAoo. 


73 


I 


•*Tcll  mp,  (lenr  '^fr.  Eliiisley,     said  '^^is3  FL  j-wood,  jirter  a  few  rrtoTTscnts 

of  si-i'iiiiiif;  rvrifiti"!! ;  '•  uliat  is  \uiir  own  ojiiniDii  >**'  tlu>  iiiitrt'ri  Ilnv 
do  \()u  iifcouiit — or  li;ivc  \i)ii  111  iiil  eihk'uvurtMl  to  arcoiiiit  lor  K  iiiir.  m-'a 
ab.sciict.'  C 

"  1  can  fa>ily  iin<kTstaii(l  the  cati«<o,"  ho  rcplitM!.  *•  Imt  confoiKid  me  if  I 
can   itlMiiiiPt  to  divine  the'  iiie-aiis  liu  took  to  ni'cotiij»ii>li  iii.s  ol)jfci,'' 

IIl'  tlieii  |iro(!t--i'<U'd  to  relate  the  circiim^taiu't's  of  his  propo-al  to  C.iplain 
Ilcadlev — I  la*  nhriipt  refii.^al  lie  had  met  with — his  sul)>etiiient  apiilicalioii  to 
liiiikS'li  to  pMHs  him  out  ot  the  gate,  ntid  the  tinal  ahaiidonmfiiL  ol  hi:>.  re({Uest 
When  he  toiiiid  that  his  aciiiiiesceiico  would  bcrioiisly  com|>rom  se  him,  as 
ollir.r  of  tiie  guard. 

"  N'oble  llaiiy  I''  thotiudit  Miss  Ileywood — "your  confusion,  your  vexation 
of  ye-Ui(lay,  ar.Ke  from  not  being  aide  to  fidlow  your  own  ireiieroiis 
im|)id>es  :  bill  nt)W  I  •iilly  understaiid  the  resolve  you  >ecrerly  mide — ati«l 
aii  for  :,iy  sake.  Do  not  th;uk  me  very  roinautie,"  she  s.dd  aloud  to  Airs. 
Lliusley,  "but  really,  A'argiiier,  I  caiiiutt  de-pair  thai  all  will  yet,  and 
8|»ee(ldy,  bo  well.  The  only  fear  I  entertain  is  th.-.t  tiie  strict  C';ii):ain 
Ileadley  may  rebuke  him  in  term;-,  that  will  call  up  all  tlu'  lire  of  his  lui  ure, 
and  ndiu;e  a  retori  t!ial  may  prove  a  source  of  serious  iiM>understMMdiiig — 
uiiiess,  indeed,  the  gre.itiKss  uf  the  service  rei;dered,  pK-ad  hi.-- justiiicasion." 

'•  Now  iliat  we  are  on  tin-  >ul)ject,  dear  Miss  lley  wooil,''  remar.sed  Elmsley, 
'Met  me  once  for  ad  d  ^idxi-e  you  of  an  im[»re.'<>ion  which  I  frar  you  enter- 
tain— or  i-  it -o  ^  i>o  you  think  thai  Koiuyne  has  had  an  o[>p'>rtunity  of 
joining  the  [•■•.ny  at  the  farm?"' 

"  I.'*,':  taihl\,  1  do,"  she  answered,  gravelv,  "or  why  should  ho  have  gone 
forth  ?  l'i"a\  do  not  rob  me  of  what  little  comfort,  in  expectation,  1  have 
lefl." 

"Tiiat  lie  went  ;orth  madly  and  Bingle-handed  for  the  i>urposo,  I  can 
belii  ve — na\,  1  am  sure  »»f  it ;  but  I  grieve  to  add  ihat  he  has  uot  been  seen 
Vlieiv." 

"'rhi<,  iiiilo' (1,  is  strange,'' she  retm-ned  in  falteiing  tones,  and  with  ii!- 
disguised  eniolioii,  for,  hilhertoshe  had  been  sustained  by  tin-  belief  that  iia 
was  mercy  ■in^'-  rin"  behind  the  party,  in  order  t  »  -iatistv  him-elf  of  t;;ot-i, 
the  detail  of  whioii  could  not  fail  to  be  :»atisfact(»ry  to  her  ear.  "  Jio^r 
know  you  liiisT' 

*'  1  questioned  Corporal  Nixon,  who  commanded  the  party,  and  who 
«-.iin>.d  me  of  Mr.  Ilcvuood's  haviiui  been  carried  olV  bv  tin-  ii.dians.  foi 
I  Was  <leepl\  !ii:.\i.i:.-,  a^  you  n:ay  p:e>i  nie.  to  kiinw  what  had  beouinc  ol 
iny  frierMl— and  ihi.-.  lar  le^is  evci>  tor  my  own  ,-al\e  than  for  yours." 

"  And  his  answer  vvh>;  T'  and  there  was  dee|)  mei.'in"'ioly  in  the  question. 

*' 'I'hat  n.>  American  uniform  had  come  under  his  n(i';...;e  djM'inghis  aiisenoc 
from  the  Fort,  save  l!io>e  of  the  party  he  commanded.  These,  as  far  as  I 
can  recollect,  were  his  precise  words." 

''Air.  Klmsley,"  >^aid  a  sentry,  who  now  appeared  at  vlie  door  of  the 
breakfa-t-parlof.  "  Cajjtain  Ibadley  waits  for  }ou  in  the  orderly  roou)." 

''  Is  Corporal  Nixwii  there  if"  asked  the  lienlenant. 

''lie  is  sir." 

"  (lood,  Dixon,  I  shall  be  tlicro  immediately." 

"(Jod  ide>s  yoii,"  he  c.iiiiiniH'd.  to  Mi-s  lleyuood,  when  the  man  bad 
d*»uarted.     '•  We  ^ha!l,  perliai>s,  eluut,  irom   him,  hometidng  that    -a  ill  thio«r 


i '    I 


7t 


nAnnsrnAP.T.T  r 


ov. 


TII!:   lAl.L  OK  CniCKOO. 


•  Wgli*  T<pon  tlie  oT»scMro  pnrt  of  tliis  nuittcr.     Mnr^rurct,  do  not  leave  the 
dt'Ui'  ^irl  filoiie,  Imt  cIkht  ii|i  li«r  spirit-,  hikI  make  lur  liopc  for  ilie  lii'>t." 

So  Miyiiij;,  lie  hliook  Iter  hand  atrectioiiaiilv ,  pushed  back  his  cliair  from 
tiio  tabiu,  and  resuiniii;;  his  cap  and  sword,  lett  tiie  Iriciids  to|.'ethor,  pionii.>^ing 
tu  reliirn  us  soon  an  tliu  ezaniinution  of  the  iimu  bhuuld  be  cuncluded. 


I, 


11 


CHAPTER    IX. 

.Mfj.  IIkywood's  history  mny  be  told  in  a  few  words.  lie  was  tlie  son  of 
nn  otlicer  wiio  liad  served  in  one  of  tlio  Anurican  partizan  corps,  during  the 
Uevohiti'iii,  and  ha<l  been  killed  at  the  attack  made  by  General  Green  upon 
the  stronjiiitild  of  Ninety-Six,  in  the  South.  At  that  tinie  he  was  a  mere 
youth,  and  lound  hiniseit'  a  few  y^-ars  alter,  and  at  the  age  of  eigliteen, 
without  fortune,  and  wholly  dependant  upon  his  own  re>()urces.  Tiie  war 
being  soon  einled.  his  naturally  enterprising  disposition,  added  to  great 
I'hysieal  sti'en(.'tii.  induced  hiu)  to  uniie  himself  with  one  of  the  many  bands 
of  adventurers  tliat  poured  into  the  then,  wilds  of  Keniucky,  where, 
within  tive  year-,  and  by  dint  of  mere  exertion  and  industry,  ho  amassed 
money  enough  to  enable  him  to  repair  to  Charleston,  in  Soutii  Carolina,  and 
espouse  a  lady  of  coisiderable  lai  (led  property,  with  whom  he  had  formed 
a  parti.-d  engaijeiiient,  prior  to  Ids  ent«  ling  on  that  adventurous  life.  The 
only  fruit  of  ibis  union  wius  a  daiigliter,  an<l  hife,  as  far  as  fortune  was  con- 
ceii;ed,  tiiey  might  have  enjoyed  every  coiutort  in  life,  tor  Mrs.  Hey  wood's 
property  was  principally  siluaied  in  the  neijihhorliood,  hut  her  hushand  was 
of  too  restless  a  nature  to  content  himself  with  a  sedentary  life.  He  had  at 
the  outset  embarked  in  Cumnierce — the  exjierience  of  a  few  years,  however, 
cttuviiicing  him  that  he  was  quite  unsiiited  to  such  piir-iiits,  he  had  the 
good  sense  to  abandon  them  betore  his  atlairs  could  be  involvetl.  He  next 
attempted  the  cultivation  of  the  e>tj.te,  but  this  failing  to  atford  him  the 
t'xciteiiicnt  he  cr.ived,  he  suddenly  took  leave  of  his  family,  and  placing 
every  thing  under  the  control  of  a  manager,  once  more  obeyed  the  strong 
impulse,  which  urged  him  again  to  Kentucky.  Here,  following  as  a  j>aesion 
the  occupation  of  l>is  eai  lier  years,  he  passed  several  seasons,  scarcely  com- 
municating during  that  |)erio(),  with  ins  amiable  and  gentle  wife,  for  whom, 
however,  as  well  »s  lor  ids  daughter — now  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  growing 
rapidly  into  wojnaidmod — lie  was  by  no  means  wanting  in  atlection.  Nor 
was  his  return  jiome  then  purely  a  tnatter  of  choice.  Alth(»iigh  neither 
quarrelsome  nor  di.-sipated  in  his  habits,  he  hud  had  the  misfortune  to  kill, 
in  a  duel,  a  yttung  lawyer  of  good  family  who  had  accompanied  him  to 
Kentucky,  and  had  consecjtiently  lied.  Great  exertions  were  nuide  i>y  the 
rel  ttives  of  the  deceased  to  have  him  arrested  on  the  jdea  that  the  duel,  the 
ri'sult  of  a  tavei  n  dispute,  had  lieen  unfair  oii  the  part  of  the  survivor.  As 
tliore,  was  so:ue  slight  ground  for  this  charge,  the  fact  of  Mr.  Heywood'a 
light,  %tIonlevi  increa-etl  pre^U!npIion  of  his  guilt,  and  s»ich  was  the  publicity 
Itiveu  to  the  ipaner  by  his  enemies,  that  the  rumor  suuu  reached  Ciiarlusioa, 
iinl  iiualh,  :i.e  f.us  ol  ids  faiuily. 


mm 


i 


II  \n:  sniABBLE  ;  on,  thi:  faf.l  (  ;•  (  :::rA(io 


% 


Revcalif'i:.  in  tliis  extronity,  liis  true  imsiti'ii  to  In-  uli'.,,  M,.  IIcnwkxI 
ileci*ii.(!  it  to  l>e  iii>  iii;fiitio;i  either  to  cifss  t:ie  -im.  '>»  i.i  !iiii\  iiim-jflf 
foiever  in  Uie  reiiii'to^t  ti'il  z»Mi  [i.iitioii  o*'  thi-if  dwii  rdiiii  ic  t,  i.  .ivinjr  lier 
lio.vever,  to  ihe  iiii<li-liiil»e<l  |)osse.-.>it»ij  ot'tliv-  propeitv  slio  liaii  b.ouglil  liiiii, 
wliio.li  wtnilij  ot'  roiirsu  dc-ceinl  to  tliuir  ciiiid. 

liiii  Mrs.  IK-VAooii  would  Hut  lisicii  to  tiii-.  projios.-il.  A!t!ioii;;li  she  had 
imicii  to  C"Ui|)l:iiii  ot,  iuid  to  |»;iiii  hi-f,  all  recollection  of  tho  jia.--:.  faded 
fi'oMi  her  iiifiuurv,  wiieii  flu*  bohehl  lier  hu«*l);md  in  n  po^iliMU  uj'  daiij»er, 
And  even  i:i  m>iuo  degree  of  hiitiiili.itioii,  1  r  !«lie  v\a^  ii"t  i^ii^raiit  tliat  ovou 
in  the  t'Ves  ot  |)cii|)le  nut  over  -crnpnlou-,  iMetl'accahle  intainy  atiaches  to  the 
liiaii,  wlio,  ill  a  duel,  aims  with  uinair  thlihcrutioii  at  tholifeot  hi>  upiHtru'iit; 
t,iu\  anxious  to  s,ili>t'y  l/e;.-elf  that  such  a  .-tain  re>led  n.>t  on  tde  iiithcr  «»f 
iier  child,  slie  coiijiav'd  him  to  trll  her  if  -ncli  really  »\as  tlie  case,  lla 
Boh-ninly  denidi  tlic  fact,  althc  ,.i:h  he  adinilt>d  there  were  certain  appear- 
ances aj;dn-t  him,  wiiicli.  .-iii^ht  ;is  liiey  were,  his  enemies  had  -oii^ht  to 
deepen  intu  proofs — aiui  in  the  dilHcn.ty  of  disprovii\g  liu'se  hiy  his  chief 
tmharra»nieut. 

Tile  toiii — ;he  manner — the  whole  demeanor  of  Mr.  Jleywo  id  can  ed 
cotivicti'ii)  with  his  <.erial.  and  his  wile  a:  on(;e  exfires.'^ed  lier  iletermiiia' iuQ 
I'l  renounce  tor  his  sake,  ;dl  those  local  lie*  and  associations  by  which  -h« 
ha<l  tteeii  siirruiuided  Irmii  cliildliund,  and  tohttw  his  f'titniie.s,  whi'liersoever 
liiey  mii;lii  lead.  'l';.i>,  .--lie  ;  er-iste'i,  she  wa^s  the  more  re;idy  and  whliii^'  lo 
d«»,  hec.iii>e  lier  daugh;ei'"s  euncaliiii  ha\in:,'  been  some  months  c(niipleted, 
oii'ier  the  iie.-l  m:u-«ters,  tncre  w;is  now  no  ,in.\ieiy  on  her  .'iccount,  other 
than  wnaL  ii.i;.MiL  aris-.-  ti'om  her  own  si-nse  of  the  I'onleinpla'ed  cii.-mjfe. 

Maria  llt.'yv.oud  was  ace(ird(ii^l\  .•^ninmuiifd  to  the  » oii>iiltalioii — iiuul© 
acijuain  ed  uili  her  t'lLiier's  |)o.-.iii<>n,  and  tlio  nee  -si  y  for  his  ins. ant 
dtip.irtnre  tVum  tliat  seciion  ot  the  conntr) — and  tinally  t"l<l  that  with  lier  it 
rvsiud  to  (h'cid(.',  not  only  wiielher  he  shotdd  go  aio^ie.  l)iit  i:  th<'y  accom- 
panied bin,  wiielher  it  sliouhl  be  to  Kiirope,  or  to  the  Kar  West. 

••  lic-t  with  me  to  decuie!'"  exciai  iied  tiie  warm-hearte  1  udrl  as  >he  tlirew 
hei  if  into  iier  mot  tier's  arms.  "Oh,  iiow  good  of  uiu  bom  ihiis  to  constill 
ine,  wlio-o  <liity  it  is  lo  obey.  IJut  do  not  think  that  it  is  any  privation  tor 
me  to  leave  this,  i  c.mnol  (daim  tiie  poor  merit  of  the  sacrilice.  I  have  no 
enjoyment  in  tiiies.  Give  ine  the  solitude  of  iiaiure,  book.s,  and  nuisic,  and 
I  will  live  in  a  wigwa  ii  withoiii  regret." 

"  Dear  eniiiu-ia>i,"  suid  Mis.  lleyucjod,  pres-iiig  her  fondly  to  her  heart; 
"I  knew  Well  in  wnat  spirit  would  be  your  answer.  You  ilecide  then  for 
the  Far  We-t  f 

"  (_)li,  Ne.",  tie.ir  mamma!  the  F.ir  West  for  me — no  Kuropo.  Give  me  the 
tall,  dense  tore.-' s  of  .)iir  t>wn  noble  land!  ]  de-ire  no  (»;lier  home--long 
liave  I  pici tiled  to  niN.-ell  the  va.-t  lake- — the  trackle.-s  wood>  and  tha 
boundless  prairi^'S  ,,f  ihat  region  of  which  I  have  read  so  much,  and  now,'' 
Bile  Coiicludeti,  Willi  exuitatioii,  "  my  loudest  wishes  will  be  re.dized,  and  I 
Bhall  |>ass  inj.  li;e  m  the  midsL  of  them.  Bi.t,  dear  pa^ta,  lo  what  particular 
«pot  do  we  go  {"* 

"To  CliicaLTo,  my  noble  girl!  It  is  the  remotest  of  our  Western  posses- 
■ioiis,  ami  (jiiile  a  new  country.  There  1  may  h  ipe  to  pass  unheeded,  hut 
how  wdl  >ou,  ilear  Maria,  en. lure  being  buried  alive  where,  when  so  luaujf 
advaiiiajies  a\\aii  yuu  iier**'" 


HARnsruAiwii.F. ;  OH,  TirH;  kam.  ok  ciiicago. 


u 


Oriy  tipnr.'itivi'iy,  |p;»|>a.'  siio  riiuiid  wuii  a  pcn.sivt;  ^\ii\\c  stfmin^  ovei 


hvv    tiiin    i:itclk'ctii!tl    leal II 


w- 


11 


ivt.'    .IK   tfur    I'T   riio   on    iliat    >n<i-i 


(lejioiid  iipDii  II, 


ill 


lor 


1  ^o  iiiiUMi   iijuural   be.ai'.s  to  inU' !•«.•>!,  it  ui,l  In.'  iiiv  ;>\vn 


fttU.;,  It   1  >;iliVi-  iiiv.'^c.I'  te  In-  Itiirivil  alive.      What  llniik  voii,  li. 


ar  it:aiiiiiiii  C 


"i  lliiiilv  uilli  Mill,  my  cliiUl,"  ri'pli.tl  Mr.,.  IK^ywoud.  lo.pkiii,:;  ai»[ir.  viii^rly 
At  lii'i-  ilannliter,  "  tliat  it  irt  our  iluty,  as  il  a>-iircdly  will  l»e  our  inea.-iirc  to 
Accompiiiiy  your  tathfr  wherever  lie  iiiiy  g->."' 

It  was  MOW  arran^'ed  that,  Mr.  Ileywuotl,  furnished  with  a  con^iderahltt 
sahi  of  money  ii*.  goM,  should-set  out  alone  on  the  loilowinj;  ni^'lit  for  their 
new  »le>iinaiioi/,  and  make  iho  necessary  prtparalions  fur  tlieir  reception^ 
\«  sli'  tiv  \vit".\  hioutih  litT  ai.NMi»,  sho'ild  endeavor  to  dispONO  t»f  the  eslato. 
Ai  it  woiud  require  9f»ine  time  tor  ttiH,  and  as  the  aiian-ciin'iiis  ai  Ui.icHtfo 
could  not  well  he  completed  within  several  uiunths.  it  was  scitlt'(i  that  ihef 
sliould  meet  at  Aliiany,  early  in  the  followiiitr  autumn,  where  ihey  shouitl 
proceed  V>  take  posse>si(»n  of  their  new  ah.idi-.  Fur  his  better  secuiity  and 
freedom  from  interrnpiion,  Mr.  lieywiKx],  while  travelling',  was  t()  assume  a 
feigned  name,  hut  hi-^  own  was  to  ho  re>umeil  immediately  at"ter  his  arrival 
Ht  Chicago,  for  neither  he  nor  his  family  could  for  a  moment  think  of 
increasing  the  su^-picioii  of  guilt,  hy  continuing  a  nanie  that  was  not  tlieir 
own  ;  and,  lina.ly,  as  a  la-«t  measure  of  precaution,  the  free  sersants  of  tho 
e>tahli>hmi'iit.,  had,  with  the  exception  i>f  Catharine,  whom  they  were  to 
take  with  them,  heen  ilischai'ged,  while  a  purcha-^er  having  fiu'tunately  been 
found,  the  slaves,  with  the  estate,  were  lianded  over  to  a  new  master, 
pntvei'hinl  for  his  kindness  to  thai  usually  oppre>.seil  rai'c.  15y  tlie-^o  means 
they  t'ound  tliem>elves  provided  witii  funds  niiu'e  than  adetpiate  to  all  their 
future  wants,  the  great  iiulk  of  the  >um  arising  from  the  sale  of  the  estate 
beini:  vested  in  two  of  the  mo>t,  stable  lianks  of  the  Uni"n. 

\\  ith  the  money  lie  t'ok  with  him,  caretully  depo-itei!  in  his  saddlehag^ 
♦»)r  he  perlornieil  the  wlpih-  oj'  the  joiirney  o;i  hur>ehack,  Mr.  Ileywood  liad 
caused  the  cotaiie  alr»aily  described,  to  he  hiiilt  and  furnished  tVom  Detroit, 
in  what.  Lt  t!:at  p.'ii.id,  and  so  completely  at  the  uliima  tbule  of  American 
civilization,  was  con>idereil  a  st\le  of  great  luxury,  lie  had,  however, 
shortly  prior  to  his  >etting  out  fir  Albany,  purcha-ed  >e\cral  humlred  acres 
of  land,  about  two  iniKs  up  the  Southern  branch  of  the  Cidcago,  leaving 
in>truct!ons  with  Le  Noir,  whom  he  had  engaged  for  a  long  term  of  service, 
to  ere(M  upon  it  a  log  building  and  out  houses.  This  he  had  been  induced  to 
do  t'nmi  th  it  aciiing  desire  for  physical  exertion  whicii  had  heen  t'amiliar  to 
liim  fi'om  hoyhoi'd,  and  which  he  felt  could  never  be  sutficiently  imlilged 
within  the  limiied  compass  of  the  iiitle  vili.ige  itselt' — stibje(;ted  as  he  must 
be  to  the  oh-ervation  of  the  curious  and  the  ii:;pertinent.  He  returned 
from  Albany  alter  a  few  mouths'  ab-ence,  in  the  autimin  of  1800,  bringing 
with  liim  his  Iriends  who  oecui>ied  the  cottage,  while  he  himself  obtained 
their  as.seiit  that  he  should  iidiabit  the  farm  house,  completed  soon  after  hia 
retui'ii.  Here  he  cut  wiih  his  own  hands,  many  ii  coid  of  the  wood  that  his 
servafit.s  Uoated  down  in  rafts,  not  only  for  his  own  family,  but  to  supjily  the 
hir  iiHire  e.\ten>ivo  wants  of  the  garrison,  with  which,  however,  he  had 
litile  or  no  intercourse,  be}ond  that  resulting  from  his  bu.-iness  relations. 

Such  wjis  the  condition  of  things  at  the  period  at  which  our  narrative  baa 
onened.     Maria  Ileywood   had  now   been  three  years  an  occupuut  of  the 


. 


11  kiM>*!":iMJiii,r. ;   o  i,  Tin:  i-vi.i.  *)!-'  cnicAco  ,. 

CoTt'L't',  Mtul  Wllhiii  th:il  MlilO  S'i;il'i'  iiii'l  »-  i  I;-  of  fli.rllnn  lri<1  ;:r("ltfy 
li  iMiimI  hi'i*  liiiiHi,  n-«  vi'.i:.-  Iiii'l  _'ivc'ii  i\ii_v  w .  ii.;iiii_\  ;:r.n't'  ti>  lu'i"  !'»t-i»;j, 
'liif  [i.i.^t  hiiil  !i1h>  U'liii.  (I  iiiiicf  to  ifiwi  licr  f:i,.|- 'ri,  r.  ui  —  ti  w!.:  Ii  l!.o 
dv'V.  lo|>iin.'iil  III'  |i|i\>!cai  hi'iiKV  so  ot;i'ii  ilt-;  i-iiils.  Al  iicc  tiist  .//  •"/  iiitu 
»-»-'t.''v  11  Cli;il'l*.'-li>ii,  ill  lu-r  toll:  Iii'lilli  wn; — an  ai.'*.'  that  would  liiiVt'  lu'«'li 
OKiii'lvi'i'tl  inviiijiUiii',  liut  foi-  tli«.'  rK;oi!iiy  wiili  wiikIi  I'o,  m  aiul  niil.^ri  ma 
ki.'iwii  to  i-i|H-ii  in  tli.it  |):ui'"('ioii<.  cliiiiale — she  IkhI  r',i'i.'i><-il.  l-iii  ii^t'  i  e'l 
v\  itii  iii'iitlerciue  to  the  vapid  Coiiipiiiiu.MiH  of  incii  wli-so  >ha'lo  v  ics,  .he 
wa-  Hot  >lo\v  to  (k'tt'ct,  iiiid  wh^x-  Iio'iiairt*  ('oiivt'_\ fd  latlur  a  I'll.otiio 
tr:l»tiit'  to  licr  mcro  pfisniinl  l'e.'iiit\,  than  a  coiT<ct  a|)|>i'o'  intion  of  In  i*  i-eiirf 
and  uiidt.'r.>iaiidinjr.  Not  that  it  is  lo  lie  iiiurivd  iiial  >-Ik'  iindcd  hor-t-lf 
'.iiichi'v  iqioii  this  latii'P.  hut  Itoc  ii>e  it.  uns  hy  ih.it  .•^taiidard  ot'  CMi'lmt 
cliii  lly,  tint  she  wa-^  (.'uahK-d  to  jiid.'i'  ot'  tin.'  minds  ot"  tho>f  wlio  f\iic»d  >n 
iiiipiTtfC.!  a  kiiowli'd^'e  of  the  fi'nialt.'  iavift,  when,  i-nnr^ri' ^,'  fi*  in  tin-  ;:.iiciy 
of  j^irlhood.  il  p'l-sos  into  the  »'a'ni'-ines>  of  womanly  tV'  liiiLT. 

liiii  aithoiij^'ii  oold — aliiio>t  rei'ellant  to  all  wiio  had  ponrid  ;  l.cir  cphi-mfi-al 
d'-d  seldor..  \ar\iiifx  hona^'e  in  iiei-  ear-no  wo'nan's  he  irt  i\er  I.eut 
With  nil. re  kind — iii^fo  i^eiierou — more  devote. 1  sentiiiicnt'.,  than  1i«t  own. 
Po^-.v-sed  of  a  vivid  iaiajiliali'ili,  whicii  the  L'i'Heral  ipl  e  ude  ot'  hi  r  ileiinail- 
or  ii!  a  J.'  I-;; I  di';,M\'e  disowned,  she  had  already  >k<'h'hed  \\i;hin  her 
HK»wini:  mmd  iiL*f  own  Iniiu  iildi/,  wmosi-  iiiiaee  \va  a  !!!,l-iiiaii  to  lu-adeo 
I  •!■  h'-ait  !i_'.i;ii>t  the  iidlienco  of  tl>e-e  soiilte--  lealiiie-. 

VVl;i,  .   ,•',  .,M.t:.,,,.  .•,  .•..,   ii,..»,.    1,  ,,1    M  i-i'<    Ih-vw 1  chfcrt'iihy  p-nsetifod 

•0  arx>om|);iuy  ner  pafetits  to  that  sooiimed  spot,  ti-om  whhh  iiici'e  w  a>  ii:i;a 
probahidty  of  a  speeiiy  ivtiirii;  hiiL  ^oiinlde,  so  tin*  troui  wi-akenin^  tiia 
Slfoiig  impfe>sions  tlial  had  entwined  iliein-(.dv(.'s  around  her  hotrt.  f:.)'>  'h«j 
I'lo  ;  L'lit  of  her  eni;in('ipation  troin  (.-hiidhood,  only  served  i(»  inve>'  .J.eiii 
vith  new  p.iuer.  Tlie  ii'oie  iier  feehn^s  repined — the  niMi-e  exp.'j;  led  her 
'Mtellec  — ihe  >!roiii;er  hecanie  the  seli-e  of  ah-ence  o!  one  wiio  4iuhl  tsief 
into,  and  in  so!iie  degree,  liive  a  direction  to  all  lior  thoii-hts  and  emotions 
— .■«haiiii{^  with  i.er  the  rich  fruit  tiiat  springs  from  the  e  n-ejoiisne-s  >t' 
kindred  a-.M.ei.-ti.n- of  mind.  Kiit  this  was  tiie  secret  of  her  oah  heari 
of  tlie  iie.'ir;  of  or.e  wiiose  personal  iittr.ietloiis  wei'-;  w-v'.'  siiIumI  to  the  rich 
mid  overllowiii;^  ehaiaeier  of  her  soul,  ami  who  iiad  now  atraiiiei!  t:.at  ago 
wliien  give-  cio,pienl  expivs.-ioii  lo  everv  movement  vi'  the  ri])ely  nionldcal 
fo'in. 

Ahove  the  middle  size,  the  figure  of  Maria  lleywoo]  was  at  once  gra(>e 
fnly  and  nobly  formed,  lier  taee,  of  a  cliiselled  oval,  wa^  oi' a  deiic.ite  (»livo 
lint,  wiiirh  Weil  harmonized  with  eyes  of  a  lustrous  h  i/.el,  and  hair  "f  irlo^sy 
rjiU'ii  bl.iek.  A  -mall  mouth,  bordered  l)y  lip-  of  eoral  fuhies-,  di^elosefi, 
\V:,ea  sSe  smiled,  leeth  white  and  even;  while  a  lordiead,  high  I'or  inf  se.v, 
V  •iiii/iiied  wiih  a  iiost',  soinewhat  more  aipiiline  ihan  (iii-cian,  lo  -jvc  ciijniiy 
1"  a  eo'intecalu''.'  that  mi^jht,  otherwi-e,  havi'  exhitiled  a  c  ai'e'  '-r  ..f 
voliipinou--  be;iiity.  Vet,  al  lioiiiih  her  leat iii'es,  when  li!,dited  nj)  ny  \  i .  cl  y 
oi-  eiii  .;ion,  wi'ie  radian;  wiin  inlelliiieiice ;  tiieir  e.\pri  s»ion  w  Ihm,  in  ;.'i,.^,.' 
vwi-  ol' a  peli-ive  ca-t,  iha',  foiitia-ied  wi  h  her  ge;  era!  app' u  a' ce,  g  . .  io  it 
a  e ha:  III,  addre-sed  at  oiiee  to  sense  aiid  sctuiinenf,  ot  w  hieh  ir  i-  imp  >•«  ^i  e, 
b\  <:>-eiiptit»ii,  to  gi>e  an  aiieijiiate  idea.  A  dimi  led  ciieek,  an  arm,  iN-md 
a:  tl  tool,  that  might  have  served  the  statuary  as  a  nii.del,  comp  eied  a  pi-i-on 
wiiien,  vyiinuut  exaggeraiiru,  n  iglu,  Je  deemed  almos;,  if  not  wliuli_\  tuuio- 


7? 


■:>  i  u.uwii.:;;  ou,  Tiin  y\Li,  <)i'  tauAC;*, 


gvii.lc  iiiiitner,  t'litvPc'il  tiie  ii|iiii'tiiu>:;t  v»i;li  ilie  e  isy  iiml  (MinpoM-d  aii-  of  one 
tit  svlioiii  tho  iliiiwiiiir-rooiii  i>  familiar,  tlititi  till  liur  |»r»'jiniici's  vaiiislic-<l,  hikI 
will!  a  iiourt  wanniflfx  towanis  lit  r,  as  ili'.imli  .sli.-  Ii:i(l  hci^'ti  the  clieii.-lied 
►  isicr  ut  her  li)Vi',  s:  c  ai'd^f,  |irL's»f(l  lici  liaiul  all"  fl  .(tiiaii-l)  ami  wi'lfometl 
l.ir  1<»  tlie  F'l'L  wiili  I  he  siiii'eiil_s  ut  a  gtiai. »us  and  elcvatt-il  naiurt', 
uiixioii-  to  ri'i»ii:-  its  (iwii  ur  iiig. 


Il\l  l«r  lilt.  A<-|L  )«•■■■  IIIV;        ;^I1J%«.III>  «'l  H        t^VIIVlWII.-^        ttllll         ^IVflllVM         llt|ll«l\a 

uiixioii-  to  ri'i»ii:-  its  i.wii  ur  iiig. 

Fi'oiii  thai  iK-riiMJ,  bo'li  \>y  tin'  wife  of  tin.'  cuiiinianilan',  and  by  Mrs. 
F.l!ii-I»y — liic  i»ii:y  t>\o  la<iit's  in  the  gairLs.)!!,  Maria  Iloyuoud  wa^  as  much 
lil\L-d  a:id  ("Mii  tt-'d,  a>  she  had  jirtviously  been  tli^ri'i^irded.  T'»  deny  Unit  tho 
nohli'  ^irl  did  in  sdiik-  infa>iire  exnll  in  this  clianur,  wonld  ho  to  do  wiong 
t't  ihi-  '.'I'm  iicndabie  |Mido  (»f  u  woman,  who  feels  that  liio  unjust  prejiidic* 
widi  li  iiud  ra-t  a  al.se  siiadn'.v  t.ver  her  recent  lit'i-,  has  at  la>t  heeii  removed, 
Hud  ll  ai,  II. e  Value,  of  whudi  she  was  ni(ide.-.iiy  cwiisci.  ;->,  bi'gan  to  be 
a!)|)r<iia'ed. 


IIAUDPI  KAlini.r.  ;    oil,   TIIK   TAIL  Ul"  «i:i(V..<>. 


It, 

VV 

se 


nfti,  M-  -vciifriL'S  wlu'rievrr   lif   «*i)ii:.|    at»>' i,l   h;::i»t'ii   l.nin   the   IT'  .  t,  wi-io 


«J»;V.ii.  ti    »N  II  iiUi    t  lit'    cot  tijrc 


to     t 


iiMiks,  ||i;,«h',    iiii.l    tl 


tar    liioi  I'    I'. •ill  .ii'iiiU 


iii!frili;iiiir"  i>f  the  f«'-i«iirfi's  of  i;ifir  jrilitMl  iniiiil.s.     In  «^miiiiim,';'  li. 


U  I' 10 


o;ii>-i  ("i.ji'n .  iiii-iits  (it  ji  duiiK'-lii'  cliaiii.ii'!-,  tor  in   aiHlrinn    to   imir    m 


w 


V 


all>-,  !ili<)  ^  snifsidtis  (III  ttie  watrr,  lutili  t'.»iiiiil    iiliilili'    MMipi'   \\iv   tin-    im;;;!- 
('"  lit"  fl.iii-   |iMrli;ility  (cir  lldWcr.-,  i:;   tin-   ta-tc  l(ir  praclical    Imr  Ic.i  iiii«; 


•()  In   iJnjiaviK.'.  iind 


cr  uliii>-»'  rare    iiad    ^'rowii    iln-    iiixiMi'ilil    i-tMiilv 


wliifii  K'V.vy  \\  litre  pcrNadid  the  little  pirdeii,  uiid  made  it    to    ike   ^T.-liiiii 


a  )■,  riioisc  III  iiuniaiiire. 


Tli;i^ 


(i/kI  |iH»?-ei 


1  luailv  two  ve  irs,  ami  insensildv,  •vitiiuiit  a  wor<]  of  I<iv( 


ndi   (I  (!oii^ciiiu  '; 


ot 


lia\ii".'  lu-eii  breutlied,  eacii  leit  all  tlif  ^eciirits  u  li 
beiiiir  nulovtjd  alone  couid  yield,  and  that  as^inaiuie  ini|iarteil  i  >  liiuir 
inaiiii.'r  uiid  addre>.s  wlieii  alone,  a  C'litiliii;^  air,  the  m 're  etideariiiu'  iroiii 
till-  sd'iife  of  their  li|H.  lint  aiihoii;;'i  no  word  uttered  l>v  lli.  ni.^t  IveH 
I  loelaiiiied  the  exisfeiico  of  the  >et'ret  and  holy  conij'act,  iii  t  only  wvre  lluy 
fiiil\  ."-eli'llile  ot"  it  thein-elve::,  lint  it  was  obvious  to  all — even  to  the  lea^I 
(•l».->i  rvatit  of  the  jffirrsoii,  and  many  were  there,  both  anion:;  ib;-  Mildieia 
and  thiir  wives — !.y  all  of  whoiu  the  yoniiL'  en.»ij;n  was  liked  for  liis  opcii- 
Dess  and  nianline^M  of  (di'^mcler — who  expressed  a  fervent  liope  iliut  itio 
beiiiit  I'nl  ami  aniiable  Mis.->  IK-ywood  would  soon  be(!iin.^  tiie  l.ilde  i.i  their 
favorite  otiieer.  This  it  \va-,  which  had  k'd  the  liieii  of  iln-  lidiiii;;-|iart \  |o 
ex|'if>s  in  tlnir  way,  their  sorrow  tor  the  young  lady,  when  ?-lie  ^lloldd  le'it 
of  I  .e  evi  Ills  at  tl;e  larni-honsi.',  fVen  \^  hile  pa-sii  g  their  riidr  encon,iiiti;.i 
on  the  >\\  ectiieos  of  di>|io-ition  of  her,  whom  tluy  al'.('a<!y  ri  garded  us  the 
wile  i>t'  their  young  otlieir. 

Ii  was  nearly  nooii,  and  Lieiiteiian;  Klirsley  had  not  _\et  made  his  iH'|i(>ar- 
aree  wiih  the  promi-ed  rep  irt.  Maria  II.  y  wood  iiad,  alter  pa^-ing  ah  i.onr 
witli  her  nioihor,  returned  to  the  l'reak!a>t-roi>in,  wlncii  ii  will  be  lecoliecied 
opened  iiiiiiirdsatrly  upon  the  liairaek->(j!;are.  IKr  trieiid  being  eiig;t,n(l 
\vi  h  lur  (i.'iiiotic.  ati'air>,  which  {.-wvy  lady  was  at  that  peiiod  in  a  mea.-uro 
C"iiipelled  to  .-nptrinteiid,  >h('  had  ihrown  her-ell'  (-till  in  l.er  morning 
dishaliille)  on  a  couch  with  /i  book  in  her  hand,  but  with  a  imnd  wholly 
(li-lracted  frniii  the  subject  of  its  pages.     Alter  coutinuing  ^-onie  time  tiius. 


ev  to  lurvoiis  aiixiitv,  as  much  the  result  of  Klm>lev'>  It  iig  abseiu^e 


'.M 


HH 


of  lur  loriner  tears,   the  sound  of  the  life^  and   (l.iims  fell   >iartlin.lv,  sli« 


hi 


lew  11. it  w  111  rcfore, 


iipoii  I 


ler  ear  an 


<1    (I 


rew    lur   to   t ne  d  lor, 


Ti 


le    men 


Were  fa'l  iig  in,  and  in  the  couise  of  a  lew  minutes  the  li;ile  line  was  formoil 
a  fi'.v  \ards  to  her  left,  with  its  llaiiks  resting  on   e  I  her   raii-e  oi   bn  Idiiiir, 


t.( 


>  that  the   iiie-s-rooni   door,  then   open,  wa>  di>liicily  vi^ib.e  in  fri-nl. 


At 


t!ie  ^anle  m<  nnn',Caplain  lleadley  and  the  lieuttiiaiit,  fi.liowed  by  Curpnral 
NiX'iii  and  the  oilier  men  of  the  M>hii.g-party — (Jroeii  only  exeep:ed---pa->eu 
out  ot  the  orderly  room  on  her  right,  movecl  across,  and  took  up  tbti"  pi'si> 
lion  in  t'roiil  of  the  parade. 

"t;o('   byss  M,e,  Maria,  what  is  tliat,  or  is  it  bis  gliontl"  suddt  nly  and 


AOm    iv, 


trie- 


'jj  ■ 


4ilJi-(ll\    I'Xi'iai  iK-il   .Ml 
lacilit 


Litni.' 


v\  no 


a<l 


,ii    iiionn  i.t  J'  i'.t!u  :i4f 


g  her  ana  ut  t'le  i-anie  true  round  lur  \sai>t. 


*  do  y-'U  111'  an, 


M; 


l! 


I) 


Ul  Ihfme  Maria  llcywco  I  c^i'ld  e-i:'piet« 


iMT  se  .rvUCi',  all  po.\t.r<»i   >  eeci  \V;i-  tak  ii  iroiii  her  in    li.e   cnio.iou    with 
wnich  she  negarieU  wliat.  tUvv  a  iMtuiieiilary  glance,  met  her  view. 
It  wus  iicr  luvtir*  fuio'  txiuipped  I'.r  parude,  uud  wuikin^r  lu.vurds  t!:e  luea 


■MP 


I    ) 


::  \i::)><   lAnu.!. ;   on,  tup.  ivi.i.  <ir  (hi«\  ;  >. 


with  a  ohIiii  uikI  d.-lii'iTat"  stt'it,  wM^S  i-i't'iiK>]  to  rvinci."  total  uiiconsciou* 
IJo--^  liKll  aiiv     iiiii.'  iiii!i-iial  ti  lU  li!i|»|  oiuil. 

*' i'cro  i-  u  cair.  >iiy  1  \'. — y-u  i\il.  trt.nlilo  a-s  il"  tlio  iiitiii  wiw  a 
gli<i-l.  Ni'W  iiicii,  u >.•  >liail  iia>  v  a  .-(■•■in.-  l>t'iui'i'ii  liiiii  and  our  iinjiiiJL>le 
COlilMHti'ia  .1.^ 

"  (jJ  111  loihiil""  i;\  ill  .It/.i-ly  ai4>wt.'ri(l  lltf  aliiiorti  1)cwi1»U.ti;(1  yii'l ;  '' »  uia 
tl»e  ruusc  <:{■  ail." 

'*Yi>u!  Smi)',  Miiriii.  Wiiat  ikhisimiso  \oii  talk,  fcr  n  seii^ildi' ;;i:-l.  liow 
uhouiil  yoii  bo  lliu  caiiM.!'  ixs;,  [)o.>ili\rl\,  lioiiuyiiu  can  iiovur  iiavo  bcoii  away 
from  Lhu  FtM'i." 

"Jjo  \(»ii  tliiiik  so,  M.ai'i;ai-»'t  ?" 

"  1  am  ^iir*'  c'  ii.  Only  Uiok  at  liim.  Ho  is  an  suriino  as  it"  lie  had  only 
just  i(»iiK!  oiii  «it"  a  h  lUil-iti'.v.  Hut  iiii-li,  not  a  won!.  Tliore,  lliai\s  a  di-ar. 
lA^aii  yoiir  luad  a^aiiist  my  >lioiil(k'i'.     l)oii  lionihasies  >i)i,'aks!" 

"No  sij;;ii  ot'  Mr.  lioiiaytJo  n^'I.''  (loiiiaii(li.-ii  Captain  lli^ailk-y,  liis  hai-k 
ttinu'il  to  llio  >1m\v1\  aihaiicin^  i»lli(H'r,  wlio-i-  iiruxiini  y  iioi  oin'  ol  ino 
iniMi  setMiKMl  iiii'lii;;!!  til  amioiiiioe,  |io->il»ly  li,  <*anM'  t.oy  l'>  ared  ril)ii!;o  tor 
hisiil'ortiiiiat  ion.  Mr.  l\lin>lry,"  he  )mii-siuiI  to  liia:  ollicrr,  who,  aciiiijj  on  a 
t«if.Miilii'ani  hail'-;;!aiii'i'  1'  on»  hi-.  tVicinl,  was  .-iioni  aUo  a-  lo  iiis  api  :  oac.ii. 
"  L«.l  a  loriii  il  ri'i)ori  of  his  ali>»'iii  <•  witln'Ut  lease,  be  iiiad'  to  ino  iiiiiiioili- 
kloiy  al'trr  l:ie  paraiie  has  hiieii  dismi^si'd." 

"  Nay.  ^il^*"  Slid  'lie  ••ii>i{.(ii.  in  hi^  t>rdiiiary  voice  and  cImm.-  it!  the  ear  ot' 
the  -peikei',  "  no|  a>  ii  iviii;^  luen  absent  Ironi  diiiy.  I  tni-l.  1  ainiiot  aware 
tiiat  I  have  ever  misled  a  jj;iiaid  or  a  parade  \et,.  wiihont  your  leave." 

Al  liie  lir.-t  sound  ot  iii.-^  vniee,  tlic  surprised  C'liiiinaiidaut  had  turned 
quiikly  loiind,  ami  Ihero  eiieoimlered  the  u-iial  deierenlial  ^al^lto  ol"  hi:) 
Biibordm  lie. 

'*  iJiit,  Mr.  K'ln.'iyiiH,  what  mem-  thi>?  Wlure,  sir,  have  yoii  been?  antl, 
it'  i;o!  lib  eiit,  Oiy  llni.-ilate^  l»o  yon  know  that  tiio  men  have  already 
been  paiailetl,  anu  tiiai  when  reijiiii  ed  I'or  yemr  irnard,  yo;i  wove  not  to  be 
t\)iiii(l  ('' 


'*  i  1.0  I'aliuMes  lit'  the  iii^'ht,  Captain  lleadlev,''  ii't nrmd  the  young  ollicer, 
with  some  iie.-iiali"ii  ol'  maimer;  "the  incessant  wa  i-biiig — >urely  there — 

'•  1  knew  h'.'  Iiad  Hot  been  out  of  ihe  Fort.  ('oura;^e,  Maria!"  waa 
•iudiiiio  Lo  iho  nion   w  iio  were  nearest  to  the  spi^aker,  troin  Elnisley  s  do.u- 


<uy. 


I    know    what    you    would   lU'L'e,  Mr.  lloiuiViie,"  rem.rked   the   captain 

Villi   Would  oiler  lhi-«    III    ph  a    to!"     \oiir 

■  1  • 


:<■   aiipearaiici* 


I 


make    a 


It  diu 


nilowanee  in  the  ii. alter;  litl,  let  me  t«ll  \oii,  ,-ir,  that,  an  otlieer  who 
thortiui^Mily  iiiidersiands  hi-  (buy,  and  consiilis  the  interests  <d  the  ^ervil•e, 
Wi'uld  make  li;:hi  ol'  tliw-e  maller>.  in  i.M>es  nt"  .strong  emerjieiicy." 

■' l*oor  KomiN  IK' I"' sigliod   .'\laiia,  to  iier  1',  ieiid.     " 'i"  ,i-  is  terrible  to  hii 


proud  spin 


t.     li 


presence  ol    the  wlioji-ol   tlie  men.  loo 


"  1  told  \oii,  my  dear,  there  wonhl  in.  a  row,  but  neser  fear  — El'iisley  is 
there.  See,  he  i-*  looking  >;gnilieaiiiiy  al  us,  .as  it'  to  call  lUir  alteiniou  to 
whiii  is  pus.-ing." 

'iho  l:eu:eiiant  had  ocimi  no  K'-s  astoid^hed  t'.an  the  oaptaiu,  at  the  unex- 
pected ajipearaiice  ot'  Konayiu — e^en  more  >n,  iiide.  d — beciu-e  he  had 
obH^^i'vt'd.  without,  howe\er,  rem.irking  mi  ii,  liio  i'o«»i  and  unhi-teiied  pace 
Ml  whiih  he  moved  uioUA  '>ij«^  8ouaie,  I'ruin  ihe  'lireciiun  ul'  liio  meas-roou*. 


Vsw 


:.:  :<  ;A:;ii:,E  ;  on,  Tin:  i  ai.i.  v/  (  wn  \o  >. 


tl 


N^'vv  li  i^  cditri!-."  lie  llit>il;.^lit.  .-iml  li.'.ir-iiiuriimri'W    lo   niiii-i-li',  ;i? 


-I  w 


1'^ 


'  » 
Id 


tli<'  «•!•  Ill  '.I.  ;:il  i;i'.  ia!»   Oil    liis    biiiw,   (Mil  ii;>;    lliu    la>L    liiirsli    ailiirc^f'    ut   Itifl 


bU]: 


t'l': 


hi-i>'t. 


C.t|it  III!  IKai 


li'Ti 


siiid  tlie  young  lumi,  dniwiiig  liiinHtir  up  to  Ms 


full 


il  -..I'.'A  ii.ii  I'levaifir  hi-  \(»i('e   tor  Im  iiad  reinarkt'il  tlitro   wer« 


oil  er  and  dearer  eyes  \  pon  him.  than  tliose  imiiiediHte'y  un.urxi,  "I  xotH  nut 
be  ^pol<eli  to  ii!  this  iiiHiiiitT,  bi-l'i.re  the  nicMi.  If  yoi  tliiiik  1  ha\e  hvun 
ijuiliy  of  a  bioach  of  duty  or  of  di«ci|iiiiie,  I  am  ;)rf|.ari.(l  to  meet  yo'.r 
charges  l>eforu  tlie  proper  trihuiial,  butynu  ^hall  not  take  the  liberty  of  tii):a 
ediivessin;,'  me  in  puhlio  i»ara<le.  My  sword,  sir,''  and  he  tinbiickled  it,  and 
ottered  the  handle,  "is  at  your  di-posal,  imt  I  deny  your  fiirti;er  right." 

"  No,  no,  no!"  siiouted  several  men  from  the  ranks. 

"No.  no,  n(»!"  repeated  almost  every  man  of  tiie  fishiny-party,  in  even 
more  enefj^utii;  tones,  while  tiiu  commanding  oiticer  was  glancing  Idci  eye 
kxieiily  aiui  ra(iidly  along  the  little  line,  to  deled  those  wiio  had  set  liie 
example  of  insubordination. 

"  ligh  I  wall !  gootl  K»>ger!"  came  from  one  of  a  small  party  of  Indians  in 
the  rear,  as  the  di>coiicer;ed  captain  uirned,  t-  !>M.itigly,  fiom  the  men  in 
front  to  those  who  had  followed  hiit'  tVom  the  otdeily  room,  and  now  stuod 
gt'otiped  on  the  inner  tlank. 

"  What  is  tiie  meaning  (tf  all  this?""  he  cried,  in  a  lotid  and  angry  voice. 
"Am  1  braved  in  my  own  command,  and  by  my  own  men  ^  Mr.  KliiiKley, 
who  are  tinse  Indians,  and  h«»w  cume  they  in?" 

"They  are  a  part  of  the  encainpineiit  wiiiiout,  sir.  There  w'aa  no  order 
given  against  their  adini>sion  tliis  morning,  boitles  it  is  Winneheg.  and  you 
have  said  tiiat  tlie  gaie-^  of  tlie  Imum  was  to  be  open  to  him  at  all  hour-." 

"Ah  I  Winnelu'g,  my  friend,  liow  do  \ou  do.  1  <lid  not  know  it  wa-  you 
or  your  peo[»le.     Y<ui  know  you  are  always  welcome." 

'•  How  (hi,  gubtiernor,"  answeied  the  ci.ief,  c«>miiig  niiind  from  the  rear  «>f 
tlie  line,  and  taking  the  [)rotrered  hand — '*  \Spo.«,e  not  very  angry  iiov  —  liim 
good  Warrior — him  go(»d  soger,"  ami  i:e  pointe<i  to  the  young  sii'ialt'-rn. 

"Eii-ign   Koitayne  is,   iu>  (loiil)t,   very   sen»ible  to   \onr  good   opinion," 
emark.'d  ilie  cajiiain,  with  evident  piijiie ;   "but,  NViiiiiebeg,  as  1   am  >uve 
you  never  allow  a  white  man  to  interfere  wiiii  ymi,  when  you  hnd  fanli  with 
your  yo'ing  chiefs,  you  mu>t  let  mo  do  the  >ame." 

"  Wiiat  iind  him  fault  lor?"  asked  the  ciiief,  with  some  surprise;  "  brav« 
like  a  devil !" 

"C.iptain  Ile.idlev,''  intpr[i(i  ed  the  eii-ign,  with  sorne  impatience,  "am  I 
to  'lu'reiider  my  swo»";l,  of  r.' 111116  my  duty  if" 

lint  tlie  captain  ei.!  e   poiild  not,  or  would  not  give  a  direct  answer. 

"Can  yon  give  me  a  good  rea-on,  Mr  Itonaynr,  why  I  shouhl  noi  receive 
voiir   >wc:rd?     Do  you  deny    ilmi     voii   have    been   guilty    of    mgleci   of 

•luty  r 

•'  In  what?"  was  the  brief  demand. 

"  ill  hiing  absent  tVoni  the  Koit.  without  leave,  sir." 

"  liideetil  To  -iib-tanti.ite  th.il,  y<iii  mi't  :■;  r.-^  j.r.'of<  Capta*  HeM«lley. 
Wl|o,''  and  lie  looked  around  him,  as  it  cmdicngiiig  ni>  aceiiMT,  "I'lelendH  to 
liuve  seen  ine  hfyon«l  these  defence.- if  ' 

'i'he  corri'iiaiulaiii  wa.<  for  some  moinents  a^  a  loss,  for  he  had  not  antici- 
Daied  thitt  ditliculty.     At  length  i:o  re.-umyd.     "  Wu»  il  not  to  be  Hbaeul 


i 

X 

- 

t 

1    ") 

^' 

.:  •  wyw:.?.'^  I'Ji,  ti; 

'.  r.M 

,   f  *  •  {   ' ' 

>.  •  ■  •  '  , 

fi' 


*fllit'i;t   Ioa\«'.  thn'.  vv'icii   ilio  i:!i;i<l   v  u-t  all   i">:ii'v  to  la-  liu'i  cIum]  ofT.  v.iti 

V.  i'|-c   Ij.ir    III   lie   IdIIim!  ^" 

"  ll:i'!  I  lie  i;ii;.r(i  ffii  iii:i.rr)i.<l  ctV.  "P  '  ::•-'  |i.i!';ii'.v  c".  »ii  fortri'l.  I  >i,«'..M  ..f 
(!<  I.IM',   li;no  Liilin.'    jli-liv    III  (I;T    \'  \W   rt  I  -III  ,   (    I     i;i:i;     i  n  ai   .k\   \    \n\.    1      \\     y, 

iH»t    11 — VDii   jnlfifil  n.e  jiaiiiiiL-  ainl  \l\>-  '  i-ir.i'Uiaiiijj;  tor  u  iuitr  ImKr.     J  .iin 
l;i'l-f  .11  I  hat  liiM,r."' 

•' il.i!i  !'  i-fti,riic(l  the  ('(i.niiiiiiidaiit,  .■  I't  was  in  sotiic  (lc;.'i«'(.'  «'l»:i;.M  .1' to 
luliiiit  ti.e  Ju>tirn  of  th^'  ;-«'Ui;.rk  ;  "voii  ii-t'cii!  _\  i'iir-t':t'  hmm'.'  in  li,i'  r-y'w'x 
t't' !.  lawyer,  tliaii  (^•'  u  MiUlier,  Mr.  Itt'iii:\  iie,  Imi'  .'i'.I  lli'i-  (I.Ti'i.  uity  i>  Mii.ii  ci-t 
at  rrSi.  i  rt(Hiiri'  l»llt  yuiir  s!iii|.!e  del  la'  thai  Uiii  liVe  ■•e»  a  ai'>t*iit  li>!;i 
llie  K'ln,  witliill  the  !a>t  .  weiity-tunr  her   >.      Tiiut  ).'i\eii,  1    I  all  l-i' gatirtiid." 

"All  1  lliiit.  sir,''  was  the  lirm  replx  <'l  the  \<  y\\\\  "  1  an'  noi  di.-p'-.  .1  i»i 
yive.  lam  not  nnieh  v.  r-t  d  in  inilirn\  |  rmiei  ce,  Capi:.''.  l.!eadK'_>,"  he 
pnrsaeii.  atttr  a  lew  nuimei.t''  paii-e.  an  '  i'l  a  tot  e  <>r  -li::!!:  ironx,  w  Idrii  ih,.t 
oftu'cr  dill  iKii  -iM  111  to  peu-ri-.e.  "hilt  a;  1>  ;.-t  >iitr;eie:  t  lo  jr  Mice  n.<»  t<l 
•»j>er\  e  what  1  h.  ve  lu  -av  !.  i  iii\  d.i<  i  (•••.  V"ii  iiave  e.hnrp  d  iiio,  air,  witi" 
leaving  hreir-ibb-ftit  from  iho  Fort  wl;h<ait  leive  ;  ..inl  ii  u  .'or  \<  a  ;•'  |<.>'i4 
tJ;a'.  hict  Itef.iri- a  0"iii|K-;e  it  autii^riiy.' 

'*  Mureh  oil"  your  j:ii;trd,  Mr.  ii  nj<y!  '"  ".va-  l!ie  a'lni;:  r>J"ii;d' r  4)t"  ti.e 
S.'lnaiHiidanl,  lor  he  liked  liut  ')io  eoi  niiiliMi  <'l  a  >efie  i.r  Ahieh  llij 
ail\  aiita).^e  seeiU' <1  n.'l  to  lesi  witli  hiln  tii  \\i,i  lh>-  m'|\  harlv  v\liciiii  i.-i 
liiid  Mdlglit  to  cha.^ieii  ;  "  M  r.  Kiiiisiey  <i.  vi!iis>  iiie  parad.  .  I  nad  iii'fi.de:! 
preaiioiint;  on  the  njioi,  (.'oioo..,!  >,i.\*,iii  i  i.!  i  r  \ati-  ('■■!  i:s  !.ir  il  i  ir  e  iid  et 
Ve-lerd  i\ ,  but  tiie  :.''ro->8  in-iiiM.r.h  afioi.  1  liav.-  iu-t  >ei'n.  Iia>  ca'i-ed  iiie  iii 
clmiif^e  niy  iiuiid.  Ni-ii.er  -hal:  !.a'.e  iie  la;  k  in  eiideii,  iiii  il  iiie  -mliy 
juiriie- are  iiaii.ed.  1  j;ve  Mill  ih'  i  ■  i.;-  o|'  pa. ad-  l.-iio.  ;  ow  lor  llejp 
{iiodiietioii,  and  i.,  liy  ihat  iitne.  l;u  ir  i  a  e>  are  iioi  Id  1  i-.  I'oe  iiie,  no  s-.c)i 
proMioiioii  hha  !  tare  piare  'a  ii  le  I  i'miiii  i  mil  ;  ii  ^.irri  oi;.  I »  -'ii:—  tiie  men, 
Mr.  lli're,  W'iniiel'r;,',  my  i,mi'i|  lidiow,  mi  lave  co'iie  a'  ;i  I'ood  m.'iiieiit. 
1  hH\  e  d  spatchf.-?  to  ^eiid  In  l>.  Iroit  ih.-  '.  er_\  eve;ii:i_r,  a..d  I  k:io.\  no  oin  I 
can  ;rii.»t  >o  >ve.'.  as  _\  oiir-elt.' 

*' liood^"  wa>  liu  a  .'Ui.i\  '•  Wd.iielie  alwjiys  r- .a 'y  to  do  him  <  rd.  r  — tio 
jiii^'i  y  niorr,  ;.  uhhenioi',  wi;h  Voiiiijj;  ei.i  •■,*'  pointii:::  lo  fa?  i  nd.-n.  a-s  ho 
inoveil  oil"  with  hiH  small  {^uard.  "i>i  »  iro.'d  .moj;  r  \i>n  -re  (h-»  :"  aial 
he  louelied   Ids  hcalping-knile   wi.li   ids   :^tl    luiid,   and   i.oked   very  .-;j;   ili- 

CanllN. 

"No,  Wiiiiuhe},',  not  jinj^'V  any  in  ire."  ^vas  I'l.-  rt-ply  ;  '•  hiii  !."\v  ilo  ymi 
ki!t>w  liini  to  he  good  so^.v!'  <      Wh.it  lia-   sour  si  a  pi  .^-l.ir.;..'  .o  d.i  wi  h  n  f" 

'MVinieli.'^'  know  all,"  s. lid  the  ehie!  -rava  iV,  ;i-.  he  haul  hi-  ii.-as  v  li  i'  1 
Upon  the  .siiouh.er  ol'  tlie  eoiiiiaandant.  "hut  eaiTl  tell.  Voi  :r  i  hiel  .««i.y 
IH),  ami  \Vi:inehe;<  love  yonii;;  i  hiel." 

Tills  remark  lorcihly  strm-k  (.'ap  aif  lleadlcy,  and  bioiipiil  hnk  to  his 
mind,  CLTiain  rec'd' eli>>iis.  lie,  Mowe  -r.  ti-iid  no  lint  .»r  ipii.  iioii,  bi.t 
poiiitid,  )i.s  iliey  moved  in  t  e  (hriciioii  .  i  h  s  own  apirtmenis.  lo,\,irtl-  thy 
»-'j!i,  showing  by  lii'.  ge.'*tu;e  taat  \i  was  not  loo  tally  lo  tal;o  lie-  mul-'iay 
tiram. 

"  U'nere  the  devil  have  yon  Ir  t- i,  mai.  .•md  uiih  what  conio  indei  iie;  d- 
.»nee  yon  jiot  ihroiigh  ih'-  scrahe,  '  \\  a.-  unaikid  at  a  di»;an  p.iit  <tt  lltfi 
luioe  iii'-  limh  •am.  :il  I  .e    aiie  iii'mifiii      ,t;i  l.ie  c  ii:Vi  r-aii  >:,  jil-l  .iVi-n. 

'•  lloiv  is  Man.i  r'  eagerly  asked  Koiia^iio.     ''  Win  II  .slia.l  I  awe  lier  ^" 


1!a;;I;K{  :: 


O! 


l\:.\.  OF  ciiicAOo. 


W 


"  Wi'M  cM  iiigli  I  lii-i  ail  i!mi  p.-i-MMl  Intween  voii  and  Military  Prn«l.nc«," 
leniiii.  <1  hi-  t":  n  ii(i ;  ••  iiiit  ;!i.tt  i-  ii">  MiisAt-r  it»  my  que>tion." 

"  I'lifie  w;is  ij.iiiii'  jr  like  I'uniiiu'  it,"  aii^\ve:od  ilio  other  t'V:i>iv©ly  ;  '•  liut 
I  (uiy.  Lii.i>K'y,  1  Kill  (Ic'vili-M  huiigrv,  tluit  tirL-akt'ai«L  you  iiivitinl  me  to  li^t 
iii^'iii  M  uvt-r  luii;^'  agu,  of  couibe/^  Tins  ludl  aeiiteiica  was  uttered  in  a  luock 
piteous  tone. 

"Just  wliat  I  was  jioiii;;  to  si'«';ik  about,  my  dear  bey.  We  have  Inid 
number  one,  hut  hetoro  hall  an  hour,  we  shall  be  seated  at  nuuibir  Itro. 
\Viieii  your  stMveaiit  hjw  ro.ioved  lii>  Heiitrios,  come  over  and  you  will  tind  a 
pijiinu  hot  breakt'.ist."' 

"  Will  it  lie  .jii'te  con-distent  witli  military  prudence  to  leave  my  givrd  bo 
wion,  after  the  kntiiie  I  iiave  had?''  rernarkc*!  the  ensign,  with  a  s-iiile — 
'*but,  ah  !  I  had  nt-arly  forgot t«n.  Elmslev,  I  must  say  a  few  word*  to  you 
betoie  I  go  in,  and  !i  hi'tter  oi'iioiiiuiitv  cannot  be  aftbrded  than  wiiile  wo 
are  ualkinj^  from  ibis  to  \oiir  [>  aie.  just  ;;o  iheu,  hikI  t>rder  the  breakfast 
as  you  [)ro|iosf,  and  return  nero.  1  >hall  have  completed  the  arrange:)i<  nta 
of  I  he  guard  >>y  that  time,  and  all  that  1  have  to  ask  of  you,  can  be  aniiwei  jd 
M  we  ^io  along." 

"  1  hope  it  is  no  great  secret  you  have  to  Impart,"  returned  the  lieutenant, 
*^f(n-  1  am  a  mk]  hand  at  the  mysterious,  and  siiall  be  sure  to  tell  uiy  wife,  if 
I  do  not  tell  Maria.*' 

**  Not  you — you  wiii  tell  neither,  but  au  revolt ' 


Cri  AFTER    X. 

At  the  monient  when  Knsign  iJonayne  removed  his  swort!,  with  titt 
intention  of'  handing  it  to  his  commanding  otiicer,  in  antiei|>alioii  ot  the 
iirre-t  whicli  lie  expected,  M.iria  lieywood,  litily  coliver>'ant  with  iho.-^e 
mditary  for:n.i!i;ie-»,  an'  »ip;.re!iciidiiig  from  the  previous  hi:.'h  tone  o(  her 
lovi-r,  that  soiiutli'ng  f>arful  wms  id>our  to  dccur,  had  n»)t  absoluuly  laiiilol, 
but  become  so  Hgitatcd,  th  it  Mrs.  Elmsley  was  inducec!  to  take  her  back  to 
the  S' I'ji,  on  which  sho  had  |ii(viou-ly  hieii  recliidng.  As  sMe  was  leaving 
her  I  hair,  iMrs.  lleadley,  who-e  ateiiiittn  had  also  heen  arretted  by  ihi'  ".<»uJ 
and  angry  voice  of  lier  hu-hand,  came  from  her  own  door  and  joiueJ 
the  little  group,  anxiou-iy  iiuiuiring  the  cause  of  the  disturbatuo  without. 

1(1  a  few  brief  sentences,  and  as  correctly  as  sh«  was  abi  •,  Mr.-.  Ehu.-le} 
explained  to  her  the  ciicuii.st'iiice.>^,  and  although  her  attentive  auditor  otlV-rve' 
Tio  vrry  pointed  n-maik,  it  was  e\i<i»'iii  Irom  ii< .  manner  that  hhe  deeply 
(k'plor<d  that  strict  mditni\\  pnnciilio,  which  had  le<l  the  hushaiid  wii<':%>ii« 
both  loved  ftJid  CHteeiuid,  to  pjn.o  ii!iiis»it  in  a  false  position  witli  his  own 
force — tor  that  it  was  a  false  p. i^ijiiiin  jn  some  degree,  to  piovoke  iusuhoidi- 
n.'itioti,  and  }it  ho  without  ihi-  jimwci  in  piinixh  it,  fdio  i>ail  too  niinh  gooi* 
sense  iioi  lu  pericive.  Sne  K-ll  the  inoit.  annoyt-d,  hecau-t-  -iie  had  on  m«ir« 
than  one  occasion,  <»n>er\»-d  tiiat  there  was  not  tliat  unanimi'v  between  iiei 
hii  band  and  Lieutenant  Elinshy,  wbioh  she  oouceived  ought  to  eiist  bei w*>«c 


wan 


81 


UAUUSCItAHUI.r.  ;    <  :i.   II'.:  KAI  ■.  <  :•  (  :' :c  \<:!  i. 


|i;iriics  ><)  rlrcmiisiMiKX'd — a  roniiiiandfr  I  a  lonioto  l'«i^t,  aii<l  lii.-<  sfOiinT  In 
r  ■  •  iiiiiid,  uii  wIhis,.  iniitil.il  l'"'!'!  iint  i-r- ;ii:iliii;.',  ridt  onlv  Wiv  jum'Ii.iI 
^•^•lllS'y  ol  nil  ii;iir!it  (1«  jii-rid.  Itiil  iIk'  I'Xi.'-tfi'i'i'  o*.  llio-*-  s  ci.il  U'hiiioJiS. 
»\  I  lii»!it  \v!ii(;li,  tin  ir  i-()i:i;f(!  |»'»iMoii  i;..iilv((!  iill  the  iii,|'le;i.>::i!iriic'>.'.  •■>  a 
v.tliiiiiiiry  baiiisliii'.iit.  Tliis  liud  ev»i  nct-ii  to  tu  r  ;i  xmrce  t>i  iv.m'iI,  und 
.h'io  had  iiii  SL'Virai  "Cfasioiis,  al!lii'n;rl»  it  the  iiio^l  deli' aiu  and  uiM)l»trti».'\o 
iii.iiiiu-r.  liiciL-tl  at.  tin-  hicl ;  l^iit  the  ii  aii  who  duaii-d  iiium  licf,  am!  lo 
clioiii,  III  all  other  rt'.H|iecis,  lui-  deife  ^•  is  lti\v,eviiictd  so  mudi  iiitivxilihiy 
in  all  that  a|i|'C'rtaii)ed  to  iiiiliiai\v  eli<inrilt',  that  slio  had  iK;\er  vtiitiirid  l.o 
invr\  lur  uliijsiijiw  beyond  llio  light.  cou.iutMitary  induced  by  casual  releieiice 
to  the  >id»Je('t.  ^ 

It  thill  >Uv  lainonted  that  mif'ortntinte  roolness,  if  not  absolute  estiaii^'eiiienr, 
which  existed  between  Lieuteiinnt  iIltn^l.'y  and  her  husband,  how  much  iin'i-o 
ttouiely  did  she  t'oel  the  dillicuhy  ot'  th-*  position  noir,  when  the  oidy  oilier 
responsible  ollicer  of  the  garrison — ani,  that  a  young  man  ot  high  feeling 
and  accoinplishiiieiit,  whiiin  «,|ie  had  eVe;-  liked  and  admired — was  tasl  bcin:^ 
led  into  tiie  siiiiie  aiitai:oni>in.  Nay,  wu  it,  rendered  the  inatier  more  painii.l 
lo  her,  wa-i  the  faca  of  the  la'ter  heiii:,' the  lover,  <tr  peri lUps  the  atUaneid 
«)f  a  ^drl,  whniii  >he  reirardrd  with  a  fei  vi.r  not  otteii  felt  by  one  woman  tor 
another,  ami  lor  who>e  intere.sts  she  c<'uid  have  made  every  sacrilice,  not 
utl'icting  tiiose  of  her  husband. 

Siich  Were  the  women  who  were  i.ow  seated  on  the  ot'oiwan,  eni^aued 
more  in  iheii'  own  rellei  lii'ii.s,  ii«ii  .n  coii\ei>aMon,  u  hen  Li<  uieiiant 
Elmsley  entered  the  room,  aiiiioui  cin-:  'at  the  truant  wotdd  shortly  he  in 
for  lireai%fa.-t,  whicii,  he  re(piesled.  iiii;:i  '  be  iii-'antiy  prepared  in  the  usual 
inanner,  only  addiig  tl'u-relo  a  cnui'li-  ol    hoith>  of  claret. 

•'  All!  panloii  ine,  Mr>.  n.adity,"  In-  K.'ded.  soiiiewh.il  siilUy,  as  ^is  wife 
left  the  ro.iiii  to  i'^  iir  tlie  iiei'cM-ary  urde.s,  •'  1  di'i  iii>l  ni'e  \oi!,  ..t  1  should 
ha\e  been  rather  iiutre  cereiiiMiiioiK  in  m  .■  doniotii^  (.nK-.tiiuii cali-'iji." 

Mis.  lleadley  sli-hlly  eoU)red.  She  u  a- -seii^ihle  tliat  pitpie  t  i»vards  her 
husband,  and  u  belief  that  she  whollj  --iiared  his  ^eiitiunMits,  i  ^d  iudiiceii 
this  rather  sarca-lie  >jiefeh. 

"  liy  no  .'iieaiis.  .Mr.  Klmsley.  1  tribt  ymi  will  not  put  m^  dowtj  m  a 
•triUiger,  whaievei-  your  di>positio!i  to  i  .luTs.' 

Tiiere  *va«  a  >i.'xnirn'am  e  in  the  mamu  r  in  wliicb  this  wa.-*  sai  1,  that  (leeply 
it)uched  the  lien'en.-iiit,  and  his  totie  iiiniiediately  chaiiited. 

'• 'I'lien    1  laue  \ouat  vour  " d."  Ik    said.     "  li    i:-   a    .onj,    titii«   hitico  I 

.i«v«  had  the  pleat!ire  id  seeing  you  iu:.',  a  ul  y^u  niii^.i  p-uueij.  join  u«r 
•aond  breakla.st.  1  know  C'apLain  h  adle\  ).>  eiijajed  witii  U  iiineiiejrj 
wiumi  lie  purposes  »eiidiijg  otf  iiii.s  evening  with  de^paii  he«,  so  ih.it  you  will 
Uct  bo  mi.^sid  loi  at.  .ea^i  an  hour,  ihertt,  took  ai  ;>lis>  ik-ywood  s  i  iiploiing 
look — >ho  pleads  with  tier  e\e-.  in  my  U  \  or,  ahhoUi;li  lliere  i.s  no  eliance,  it 
uppear.s,  of  getting  a  word  irom  h  r  lip  .  ' 

*' Nay,"  remarked  t!ie  olhr,  who  hai,  -aried  from  her  late  de-pnt'.<leiicy, 
on  hearinu'  tne  oltjecl  of  t  le  br.  akla,-!  "you  are  vci\  iiiii  ea^o:ia  ue,  ilr. 
i'«!  nsley.  You  do  ii't  de>«.  Vo  that  1  f.  )Ui'i  speak  lo  you  lo-ilay,  and  1  aiu 
not  quite  sure  ihat  1  shall." 

'*  .\nd  pray,  lair  iad.,  why  not?  Wherein  liave  I  iiad  the  mid'oituno  to 
offeiul  r 

*'AhI   do  you  fot'ifot?     You  promispU  tu  bring  iUe  a  certain  repurt  gjf 


.. 


nARDtCRABBLE  ;    OR,   TBB  FALL  OP  cniCAOO. 


85 


It 


Cf.'tain  orrnrronces,  und   \\'t  in«'^fi(l  ot  tliit,  not  a  word  liave  you  con- 

ac'-reiiilt'il  In  a  iii:"i.'>-  to  iiu  iiiiiii     lis  iiiiiiin,'ni." 

"1  I'if.iii  m-iiiy,"  111-  :;  Aiivt  tlc|)r<  oaliii::iy,  '' but  jir.iy  fur  a  MispeiisiiiQ 
f)l' >eiitL'iiCe.  until  llitf  i\iu.ii  t»;  .ii  ••  Luroiiglt  wiiio  ml]  .L-aci-  i  li.'|»e  In  ubima 
your  |iai-(lou  1     1  g>»  now,  "  m-  vvii  -pireii,  *'  lo  le.iil  iiim  i»  yan-  iccL." 

**  VVuil,  wliat  id  tlie  ;.Mv,i,  (jin  >  it»n  ynu  lia^o  to  |nii  ii»  nie  ("  ^aul  tlie 
lieuloiiant  to  his  trieiiM.  .^iioiu  a-  nad  t-eii>iii(.-tl,  and  with  wiinin  liu  now 
ri'iuiMcil  slowly  toNS'.ir  ^  l.iu  li<>ii-  — •S»Me  iiiv.ilvuij^  a  ca^*  oi  lilu  utui  ueuUi 
ii  n:i<r|it.  L)u  iii!a^iiit.'d,  Iimiii  tl;o  i<  i  g  I'acu  you  [>ni  on  wiicu  ahu.aiit;  lu  ihe 
luaitti-." 

"Nay,  not  exactly  that,  l)ut  mi.l  involving  a  good  deal.  'l\'ll  lue  frankly, 
Elni^ley,  lias  ^.'ss  licy  W'jotl  hia/d  any  I'urtlier  aci;ouiii  of  ilic  cvcutj*  at  the 
faiun-iiiui  J  r' 

*'8hu  has  iieard  the  report  hrui^ht  iu  by  Nixon  and  tlie  rest  uf  the  tlttUiug* 
party." 

"  .Vnd  what  was  thai,  I  pray  yo(j  ?"  eagerly  returned  the  ensiga. 

"  Tliai  \lv.  lleywi.ul  liiid  i>een  carried  oil"  by  tuo  iudiaud." 

''  Fron;  whom  did  -he  lu-ar  il<" 

**lt  was  I  who  i(»ld  her,  on  th-.  strength  of  what  the  corporal  reported, 
not  only  to  In\^eif,  but  tu  Caiitaui  lleadley." 

"  Yoii  are  a  «;tijisiderate  lellow.  ^linsley,"  ti.iid  his  friend,  warmly  pressing 
his  iiaiul.  *•  1  th.iulv  you  for  tliai.  a:id  now  th.it  tlie  ^riat  (juestitiu,  jis  you 
t(,'nii  it,  is  answered,  1  a:ii  <|iiile  i  idy  for  the  promised  Uie.ilklaiiC.  Did  theciti 
fellows  bring  ho  uc  any  li>h  i     1    ;  ive  a  great  fancy  for  liah  tnid  muriuug." 

"No;  tiiey  brought  no:iie  deai  iiieu,*' and  tue  lieutenant  iool^ed  bcaroh- 
ingly  into  the  face  «>i  lii>  ciunpai  »u,  dwelling  on  every  word,  luoreovet,  ad 
if  lie  woidd  convey  lliat  he  (^m  i  aynej,  knew  perfectly  well  what  freight 
thtf  boat  had  brouj:lit  to  the  Fori. 

Fuituer  remark  was  pie^enteo  ly  their  arrival  at  their  destination — the 
froni-door  being  open,  and  r.:vea-:  ig  the  little  (tarty  within.  The  lirst  upou 
Whom  the  yituiif^  ollieor's  eye  f<  i  ,  wa-*  Mis.  lleadley,  of  who>e  iuiended 
l)resence,  his  trieiid  hail  not  t.uou.ut  of  appiising  him.  biill  >mariiiig  unuer 
a  keen  isen>o  of  the  bcveriiy  ct  reproof  of  his  commahding  ollicer.  and 
f.dling  into  tJie  ci)nimon  error  of  involving  the  wife  iu  the  uniinnal)ility  of 
the  hu>band,  Uonauie  would  have  retired,  even  at  the  risk  ot  losing  hii 
breiikfasi,  and,  what  was  (»f  in-  more  niomenL  to  him,  of  delawhg  hid 
meeting  with  lier  to  whom  his  o'. cry  thouuliL  was  dovotid.  IJut  when  Airs. 
lieadU-y,  who  had  remarkeil  the  .uovement,  eanu'  toiward  to  the  d^or,  uud 
gave  him  her  hand  with  all  the  v.irmiii  and  candor  ol  liir  n<>hle  naiure,  lh« 
piipie  vanished  irom  his  mind,  :  nd  in  an  instant,  he,  like  KlmsU-y,  evinced 
thai  devotion  and  regard  lor  Iu  r,  which  her  laxinai.iig  manner  cuiKl  uut 
(ail  to  inspire. 

The  sense  of  Couo'raint  beir^  thus  baniahed  by  tlie  only  one  w  hotM 
presence  had  occasittnttl  a,  the  parly,  after  a  few  mmiile'  low  conv«,rsalh)U 
iK'lweun  the  lover-,  -at  down  gai:>  to  a  iiual — hali-b.v.iKhi-t,  hall-liiiiciKoii, 
UL  which  the  mo-l  cm -spic  ion--  a'.'T  \\  is  the  li  «ly  r.  priuian  .cd  cii'Un. 

"  li'-all),  .Mr.  Ii 'ii.i_  ,.1,  ,.•11  ,  is;  l.ave  nu-,  w  i  i,  a  ,.v  .,c,  ciu;pler  of 
ftU  V  o.ii  ..;e-<  clui  iii^   ,im,   ,i  )-vii.  «.•  i..->,  lo^.i..      ^  >',;  ii.i .  «.•  ..<.•  vo..rcvi  ihc  i.isL  lolU 


8tt 


HARDBCRABBLB  ;    OR,    THE    VAI.L   OF  CHICAGO. 


tf\  «!?fr«,  n>y  c(>.)k  nays,  tfiere  wcie  in  it.e  riorse — ttife  l.mhj  ot  a  pnunt 
Ibwl,  ami  nearly  ihe  halt'of  a  youn^r  l»t'ur  Imm.  Do,  pray,  tell  tm  wlure  yov 
have  been  to  gam  hucIi  an  appeiite?  Intlutd  yuu  nui&i — 1  am  dying  to 
kn«»w." 

"  My  (]car  Mrs.  Eimsley,''  he  re|/Hed,  coloring,  "  where  sImuUl  I  have  been 
but  in  tne  F«»rt?" 

"True!  wlmra  should  yoa  have  been,  itideed ;  but  this  is  not  the  point, 
my  iiun^iy  gentleman.  Where  tcere  ymii  it  I  wils,  I  kuotc  w/Wy  t>he 
HiUied,  significantly,  "I  aliould  have  my  t^uspiciuts,  unle>7s,  indeed,  you  l.iave 
already  citnt'eriBed  within  the  tew  mimites  \(>ii  h.ive  been  iu  tlie  room." 

"Nay,  do  n<it  imagine  I  have  ^-o  miicii  iiiHiieiice  over  tiie  truant,  ns  to 
eoiii|)c'l  him  to  the  cont(e!«8i«>nal,'*  :s.'ii(i  iMaiia  Hey  wood.  ^*  I  assure  }uu  1  am 
(jidie  as  nm<h  in  the  dark  n^  any  one  pn  >ent.'' 

"Come,  Mr.  Konayne,  recnuni  your  atl\eiitures,'*  added  Mrs.  Ileadley. 
'*  KecoHt'Ct  you  are  not  on  pariide  now,  or  e.\;ii't!y  hetore  tlie  >icriiest  (Jou't 
ot  ln4niry  in  the  world,  and  should  tliereibre,  entertain  no  «lreau  ot  puuish' 
•uent  i)n  vour  self-conviction  " 

"Thus  urged  and  eiH«»ur;i;,'et1."  >iiid  llie  eiiMgii,  diU'inj;  one  of  tho  ^hort 
pauses  of  his  kmtu  and  fm-k,  winch,  in  tnuh,  Ik-  liad  handled  as  imicii  to 
Bludy  what  he  should  say,  as  to  s.iii-f\  hi.->  hiinge.-;  "win)  could  resist  such 

Ideading,  were  there  really  iiny  thin<.r  to  CMiniuiii:u;ate  ;  hut  1  am  quite  at  a 
08S  to  ct>nceive  wiiy  ^o  geiuial  an  njiiiii.pii  >ieii  s  lo  prevail  (hat  1  iiavc  he*  n 
out  of  the  Fort,  and  in  ijue-i  >\'  .-nlvui  urc.  W  iiy  not  ratiier  ;'  '  riiie  iiiv 
tardiness  at  paradu  to  some  les>  tlaileiii  g  can  e — a  heaii-aciie — l.i.igtie  fioiw 
night-watching — indolence,  or  even  a  liitle  eir^temeiit,  arising  trom  tlio 
denial  of  a  very  imi)rudeni  iXMpiesl  I  nia<ie  \o  Captain  ileadley  la-t  evening, 
to  allow  me  the  command  ot  a  deiachmeni  lor  a  particular  purpose,  r.'iidon 
me,  i  have  made  quite  a  >peecli,  hut  indeed  you  compel  me.'* 

"Let  us  drown  tins  inquiMtion  in  a  bumper  t)f  claret,'  interposed  Elinsiey, 
coming  to  thti  assistance  of  his  friend,  whose  motive  for  thus  parrx  ii.g 
infiuiry  into  his  coiuluct,  he  thought  he  could  divine.  "  1  say,  niy  <iear 
fel[(>w,  you  may  wish  your.-elt  n  head-ache — fatigue — indolence,  or  even  a 
.iitle  enteiement  every  morning  of  your  lite,  it  it  is  to  be  cured  in  ihi* 
luamier.  Tins  is  .some  of  the  most  s|ileiiditl  Latiite  that  ever  found  iis  way 
into  tht;-c  wesieru  wilds.  Look  well  at  ii.  It  is  of  the  clearest,  the  pun  >t 
blo<sd  of  the  gr.'HM) — taste  it  a-ain.  A  hoiileoi  it  will  do  }ou  no  harm  if 
/ou  tiad  twenty  guards  in  charge." 

As  lie  had  desires!  and  expected,  the  introduction  of  his  remarks  on  the 
wine  proved  noi  oidy  a  means  of  changing  ;l>e  (Mnvei>aiion,  but  of  cau>nig 
the  ludie.o  to  withdraw  from  the  tahle,  round  which  they  had  Leeii  sillii.g, 
rriier  to  keep  the  young  oliicer  ciunpany.  ih.'.ii  ;o  partick[>aie  iu  the  repast 
themselves.     Mrs.  Ileadley  was  the  lirst  to  move. 

"Give  UK)  your  arn>,  antl  sco  me  home,"  she  said  carelessly,  to  Rmiayne, 
who  now  having  tinisiied  his  breakfast,  had  ul>o  n>en.  "Do  not  he  jetflous, 
my  dear  Miss  Ueywood,  but  }ou  will  later  know,  if  you  do  not  know 
already,  that  the  wife  of  the  commainlmg  ollicer  always  appropriates  to 
berselt,  the  liandsoniesr  unmarried  }oting  otiicer  of  the  regiment." 

Botu  Konayne  and  his  betrothed  were  too  quick  of  apprehension  not  to 
perceive,  uuiier  this  light  gaiety,  a  deep  interest,  and  a  desire  to  C()nvey  to 
iiieui  both,  that,  if  uuhaiiiiily,  therv  did  not  exist  a  cordial  undcrstanUinH 


„ 


HvnDHCUMJJi,:: ;   or,  riii'  r.vi.r.  ok  ciiic.vao. 


87 


tMtNvviMi  li.r  liu-baiul  a^.'T  tr.i-  f  nirr.  lii  ti.aticr.-  pfitly  military,  and  in 
K-,;i.i"»i  I  '  >i:.ii.'i'is  uiiii'ii  .■«!i"iil'.i  !  ivf  !;.»  i:  il  .fiift.' Over  itiivaif  lit'*.',  > lie  was 
b\   HI  iiK-ili-,  a  I'.il'^y  I       ■    ■  .i;-iiii     II. 

■*  Not  vtry  t.iliiruit  1m  i  ;,,ii)  f  'i  ' 'a  lOii  llie  l.Uinl-tiiiii  si  and  tli"  f!L'VtMe>t 
I !  I  111'  iujiiiaiTic<i  (ilU».'<  IS  I't  ini.  i.^  -i-uii  ol  Ciii*a;:<>."  ii'[>l>i  (I  Miuii  liv\  u .  ui) 
wail  an  vlKirl  at  clie»  li'iih' ->  ;  •  it-i  ft-.ri',  Mi'.  Kouaxiie,  i  a«!\is»'  y.>  ik'T 
tu  lie  lot)  iimcii  cIhIimI  \  .'(;;>.  1!'.  iiii\V  CDiii,  iiiiiciit.  A'.'.fV  tt.nt  c;';)  ic.i,  } 
llniik  yi»u  !ii!i\  1)1'  l!U.-:i' I  with  !•>  f.'' 

••  U  ;ia;  a  i'"l>  *•  n\-A\  r  •.  m'mI  \\  •  -.o  a  y'v  \  !-!i'-  li  >>  sm  ooni  aiul  pui.ijious  a 
l;u>l»aiiil,"'  r«j!'ia;  li' li  !;!•  i  ,«  ...:  .i  v.  i  >K  \ ,  a•^  .M:'--.  IIv.mI  i-_\  tli-app  uci  !n»io 
till-    I'.iif  w  ;r.  ,        '  1   !■  ••     1    •  •  .■  <    !.•  ■•  -.>    >■.  r!i    a-    !     I"*    iiiiiniiiij.  .,.,,]     ,,)uii    II\J 

iv'ni!.  .M:ii'_'ai\'t,  weio  lutli  A«  ai<'  yon  oiii  of  tlie  way,  I  (*n»»ulu  b«  greatly 

k'iii|i'«'(i  111  t'aii  in  lnvc  '.viiii  ImT." 

"  Yoii  w.niM  act  u  i-ciy  il'  yui  'i.il.  G^'itr_'t';  I  have  aU\ay><  tlioiij^liL  most 
bi>f!ily  of  he;-.     Mu<  i~,  ii  i-  i  i  no,   i  liitle  res. •!•  veil  in  manner,  but  tiiat  I  ail 

mv-  t'i..u's   wlmlly   tV a   c  r  a  ii    nsiraiiit,   iiu|ii>>oil    u|ioii    her   l)y  her 

u-l»aii  i's  t'oniiali:y  ot"  eliai-aiMer.  1  .-ay  1  am  >iiie  of  tiii<,  for  tliero  hav« 
b'en  'cca-i  ih.  u  lu'ii  1  !i:i\e  ^''eii  'i..!' e.\'ltiliit  a  w  aniii  h  of  a(lih'e.-<3,  U8  tlilTerent 
f.oiii  her  :;«ili'l-,il  d   iij.  .iiioi',  :i»  li;.'  'L  i>  tVoiii  -h  id  c.v." 

•' rriii.ii>.s  111 '<i|.  y  h,i-  s_\s  1  ■  aiically  drilled  lu-r  into  the  particular 
lie  .rill.!,-  I  i.ii  o  iu'iii  to  be  a->iii.i  d  bv  the  wilo  of  the  commandant  of  a 
gaiii.-t»n." 

'•  Na  ,  (ii'oi-gel  that  i-  n^t  '^it  i  "ons,  bnt  I  know  you  are  not  serious  in 
what  yoi:  -ay.  Yoii  jn  ',iiv  .\lr^.  Ii  adle.  better,  and  that  ."^he  is  not  a  woman 
to  be  M)  (irlied.  She  lias  loo  miu  i  ;;o.)  1  Miise.  despite  all  lior  partiality  f<»r 
her  iiiis  and,  t(»  all  <\\  hef.-eit"  to  '..'  im|ir"peily  intluiiKX'd,  whero  lior  judg- 
iMcii!  coMii-inn- ;  a  il  aliii  m-:h,  as  his  wfie,  .she  mii.-t  neces.sanly  act  in 
Concert,  u  lb  him,  it  by  no  l\lea:l^  i'oilows  that  >iie  approves  unreservedly,  all 
th,\t  iie  d   es,'' 

'•  V  !i  are  ;i  (Ivir,  ii^bie  .  reatnri.  yoursell !''  exclaimed  the  ^'ratified  Eltnsley, 
lid  hi-  find  y  .inl»i-ae«  d  hi-  Wkc.  *  Tueie  i-  nitlldiij.'  1  loVe  so  miicli  as  to  see 
one  woiiian  svacm  i:i  tli  •  lUlen  v  .  f  amnlier — one  so  si  Idoni  meocs  with  that 
hort  ol   tlll^,_^      Willi.  M  >i'i:i,  loa.  f 

"  Vi — tear>  of  p,t,i-iiro!"  she  );n>were(l  eiirnesriy,  aS  she  held  \mv  haiid- 
kerehi.f  to  ik  r  e\e.^ — "  t«  :.r.-.  m  joy  lo  >ee  .-o  miieh  /jenerosily  of  I'eelin;^ 
Hinon^  to.oe  whom  1  iia\e.>>o  mi'."i  lea-on  lo  esti-em  mikI  admire.  You  are 
ri^ihi,"  she  pursued.  adiire--i:i;.;  N-  s.  El.ii>ley,  ''>iie  in  iiid.'eil  a  iiohle  woman. 
I't  ill  ip>  1  may  j'l^'ly  be  .■ccused  of  a  li'tb-  p.tr  ia  it\,  for  1  never  can  forget 
tlie  fiahli  hi;'!  Cordial  pi'oli  r>  ol  ;iei:d  hip  With  uhicli  >he  recuivetl  nie  oU 
the  lir  t  niiii  t  of  mv  a:  pearan«'e  'icte.' 

"llil  \'on  \'ot;e:ii'<-r;:  lo  ilu  r.  scii" !"  ixd  dined  lllmsiry.  with  Ruddeii 
ai;iiiia;ioii,  as  t!:e  Mo  ,1  !iv;!iro  ol  'te  loi-ino.'  siud'-d  tne  door-way.  "Well, 
docior,  bavo  yon  p.i-^-ed  a^a}  in  the  «r.4po;a!iin  produced  by  lrij.dit, 
tiie  vi 'lent  liead-achi  ytiii  ueu  »iitferin:^'  lioni  this  murniiirf  If  not,  try 
that  cl  tret.  It  i.^  (•:'''i;al  .-  nil'.  a\  1  a  uiinliier  of  it  will  mulvo  up  for  tlie 
'jr."i!x'H  t  yoii  li.ne   •••' .  ' 

"Fill),  ili'i  iiieu  I  I  !• 'U'- !  t  1  i-l  tha  1  .ai.  |t  cii  \  ••."  clinckled  the 
d  I  "|-,  V,.  I  Jhg  !:;  ■-  t  li  .1  .  :.  I  ^  ioa-!v  .1  lia-  'aid'',  ali'l  co'iiliieiu'in;^'  llpoO 
lii-i  r   I'l  o'.>  ol    .  In.   !.••...•,  .''111.  a:i     j'r.'iii  ie  b' ti." 

**  I  .L'.;r  .lie  U\;  a;.  ■  c>'Ji\)e  .u\  t  o,vi,"  !.Hui  .\l:>.  Klnuil'-jr  ;   "  ba  ute  40;  son  « 


UAllDSCUABULi:  ;    Oil,    TIIK   FAI.I,   OK   (IIU'AOO. 


a 


■1 


hot  r«»r  ynnr 

"  liy  no  lueiiri!*,  my  dear  Mrs.  Klm^k-y,  I  could  not  tliink  of  Midi  »]  <\m 
Willi  geiiei'oti.s  clitret  at  my  eUiow.  Nay,  <]o  not  l<>"k  oileniled.  Your  tea 
Ainl  coM't'o  iii'i'  aUvii) -i  of  tiio  best,  but  tliuy  do  not  j  ist  now,  >uit  my  ta>  o. 
Mi-H  ileyv\'r<><!,  bow  do  you  do  tiiitt  moi-n'mg?  How  is  utiir  ^eiiib*  ihjiberi 
I  iiavu  called  ex[)re.s&ly  lo  buu  ber.  Elui.xluy,  wlu-rc  \a  tbat  runaway,  Kou* 
nyne?" 

And  where  indeed  wa-*  he?  They  had  not  walked  more  than  three  or 
four  paces,  wneii  Mrs.  ilcadley,  after  s>oinu  little  besiiatiuu,  addressed  bitii 
thus:  — 

^^  Mr.  Uonayne,  notwitligtAnding  yonr  evident  desire  to  conceal  the  fact,  I 
can  paiidy  see  that  yoti  were  iu)t.  within  tlie  Fort  List  idjjjlit.  1  can  fully 
oonipri'liend  tiuit  yoiir  motive  for  alisentiiifjf  \onrself,  ha«i  b  •cu  pralseworby 
but  you  niii-t  al^o  ailmii  tiiat  the  lepro'f  you  met  with  this  mornin;;,  waa 
not  altogi  tber  undeserved.  I'ray  do  not  start  or  Imk  j^ravr,  for,  believe  me, 
I  am  siieakiti}?  tt>  you  only  as  a  I'riend — imbed  it  was  to  lia#e  tde  opporiuniiy 
of  con\iufinK  you  that  1  ,ini  >iicb,  that  I  asked  you  to  escort  i  le.'' 

"iiiaby,  .Nlrn.  Ileadlev.' interrupted  the  yo  injr  otliccr,  lit  Ic  divining'  to 
wiiui  all  tliis  was  to  ti-nd,  ami  tt-.TiM^'  i;mI  al  o'jy  her  at  his  east.-,  from  thu 
ibrupmess  with  wiiicli  the  >iihji<!l  had  lireii  iiitr^  duced,  "  1  feel  a->  1  ougl.t, 
the  interest  you  profi->.s  lu  i.ike  in  nic,  luil  iiow  h  l!iu',  connecud  i-itber  with 
fijv  Rgserted  abseine.  or  the  r<|>'  oof  it  tiitailod  ^ 

•' It  18  so  far  C'MiiU'Cted  with  it.  li.a;  I  «  i>li  to  pou.t  o;,f  l.'.e  means  h) 
which  any  unph-asant  ri">ii!i  ini\   he  avoiditi!" 

"Unpleasant  roiilt  I    Mr-.  IK-adley^" 

"  Yes,  unpbasHiif  result,  lor  1  have  too  pood  an  opvnion  of  you  not  ttt 
believe  tbat  tiny  thin^r  tt-ndinp  to  destroy  the  hariiuMiy  of  <;iir  ver}  limiied 
•ociety,  woiibl  l)e  C(»i.sid<t*td  >iicb  by  yon." 

"J  am  all  attention,  Madam.     Piay,  proceed." 

"The  pilbimss  oJ'  yoiir  manner  does  not,  afford  me  murli  encouratrcmcr)* 
yet  1  will   not  be  diverted  froii:  my  purpose,  even  by  that.     Yoii   have  had 
the  Oominandant's  lecture,"  she  c<»niimu'd,  with  nn   attempt  at  pK-a-aiury, 
"and  now  you    lust  prepare  yotir^ilf  for  (pard»>n  the  coinage  ot  the  term) 
tliat  of  the  Comniandantess." 

"The  plot  thickens,"'  sa'd  the  ensign,  somewhat  Bharply — "  bi>tb  liie 
husband  and  the  wife.  Jupiier  Tonans  and  .luni>  the  Superb  in  jinlL'tnfiit 
upon  poor  mo  in  succes-^ion.  Anl  that  is  too  bad.  But  seriously,  Mr-. 
Headley,  I  shall  receive  with  itll  due  humility,  whatever  casiigaiion  you  may 
choose  t«»  inllict." 

"  No  castigaiioti  I  assure  you,  lionayne,  but  wholesome  advice  from  one, 
who,  recollect,  is  nearly  obi  emmph  to  be  your  inollaT.  Ilosvever,  y..tj 
8hall  hear  and  then  deciile  for  yourself." 

"  Aliboupb,"  hbe  pursue<l,  after  u  xiii.rt  pause,  "  we  women  are  snpp'istd 
to  know  nothing  of  those  matters  it  windd  he  ditlicub,  in  a  small  place  like 
this,  to  be  iijnorant  of  wliai  is  poiiiif  oi;.  Hence  it  is  tliat  1  have  bug  siine 
remarked,  with  paitj'and  sorrow,  the  little  animosity  which  exists  between 
lleadley  and  your-elf-  (I  will  not  introduce  Mr.  Elm>ley's  name,  because 
what  1  have  to  say  has  no  iinmcdiate  reference  to  him),  and  the  almost 
daily  wideni-.g  breacli.  N«»w,  Uonayne,  I  would  appeal  to  yctir  retisun. 
i'laoe  yoiirself  fur  a  uioiueut  in  lay  husbmid'a  position.     Cur.sider  his  vean^ 


I 


-=..v 


IIAKDH<'UAnni.K  ;    OK,   THE   FAIL  OK  <  IflCACO. 


89 


Olll', 

v.. II 


nei'.rTy  i!<»ijbie  ynr  mu  n— Ins  trn-Ht  res|>oii.sil>ility  ami  the  pcculiftr  school  of 
iliMMjiliiie  III  \\  iiicii  In-  liiis  lii'fii  U-(iiiL'lit  ii|>.  I'l.ice  voii!>iilt,  1  ri'|n',it,  in  hid 
|)'»-«iiU)i»,  iiii''  tKM'j.lf  v\liit  \vutii<!  lit'  }(>»!•  Hi'iitiiiit'iifs  ii,  ill  n.e  ('(>ii..i'ii'r;;ii)i;>t 
d>char;;c' ot  yoiir  tiiitj.,  y"U  lliui:j,'l.t  your^cll  tliwaiti-tl  by  tli(»>e  very  li.ea 
— iiiiicli  y<Mir  jiiiiiur-,  U»tli  in  \tviis  and  miliuiry  fxpi'jiciici — on  \\ln).sa 
C"-n|ii»raUiiii  ynw  lia<l  t-vi-ry  fair  iiasini  to  ivly."  * 

••^••11  tiHve,  my  lU'.ir  Mis.   Ilia«lli-y,  put  tlie  cnse  frciMy  yi't  simply. 
rtfliinud  tiio  t  ii-if,Mi.  will)  luid  li-'ti'iied  witli  imirkiMl  dfU'icico  to  the   wiioU 
(»t   lu'P  ri'iiiiiiisi  I  aiice.      ■'liisuclia  <';ise'    I    sln»iild  tcfl   ii'  >li;:lit   uiiiutytiiiite, 
bill   vvliy  imagine  tuat  I  liavo  >otij;lil  l.«  tliwnrt  CHptaiii  llijidliy  '<' 

"  Was  it  i.ol  appareiiil}  to  ilisv;irt  liiiii — Ikmi*  in  iiiiud  1  >ptak  to  yoij 
diftpM.-'sioiiHt.ly  aii(I  as  a  IViciid  — to  ri'lu-i'  in  tlie  pri'^'iicf  ot'  tin-  w  iio'e 
girri-tm  ilii>  iimniiiiL'  to  .'iccuinit  t'lT  your  al»-nit'i'  ot  I.ini  ni^'ht,  wliicti  ini^dit 
have  I).  I'll  ea-  ly  oxplaim-d,  Irid  yoii  Ih'oii  ho  t:i>po-f(l  /" 

••  iJiii,  iii\  (liar  Mis.  II  (.•at  I  ley,  wny  is  it  per>i-toii  in,  lliit  I  was  ali-ent — 
Hiid  evi'ii  ii  >ucli  Wire  tin.'  casi-.  nntrlii  not  1  iju\e  liad  a  t'ood  rt.aM>ii  tor 
rviiibini'  to  «'i.iiiiiiit  iiiyM-it   by  liie  avowal." 

"  Adnitiiii^,'  tlii~,  could  \oii  luivo  niaiiitaincd  your  |)osiion  wiiliont,  in  ii 
nieaMuie,  M-l  iiii;j;  iii- anil  ri;y  at  detl  iiici' — liiu- eiu'oiirariii;,' tbo  iiK'II  to  do 
t!.e  >aiii''.      Wa-  llii>  ri^ilit,  I  a>>k  {      Was  tli..-»  titlicer-iik.  f 

"  \V»  il,  11",  pi'iSapx  not,  1  bliisli  not  to  iiiaUe  ilie-  adiiiis-imi  to  //^i/,  for 
iiidi'i  d.  thi  r»' i>  11' rr».-tiii;,' >u  bi'wiii  liing  a  ma-tcr  ill  pi^-tiii  oats.  Wt,  wnat 
W'aild  y.>u  hive  iik'  do  i'' 

■'All,  iioA,  1  i.cj^j.ii  to  cMvriain  son  e  bopi-  of  yon,"  she  replied,  in  a  ^'aver 
tone,  plafini,'  I.er  hainl  at  the  saliie  time  laiiiiliai  ly  on  lii>  .-lidiildi-r  aid 
iiiokiiij.'  iip|'roviiijrI\  in  lii>  I'aei .  '*  iion.iyne,  \oii  are  ei:iia;^<"i:  —  periuips  will 
tli(*lll\  biciiiiie  tie  liii>band  ot  tlio  n(d)le  uirl,  wlioin  1  !ote  cvei'  ii>  tiio  ;^|| 
■lie  .lire  n:y  tiwii  ilauijliter — .M's,"  :.lii'  r»'|A':ite(|  eiKr^elnall\ ,  as  ^lie  I'll  ld« 
gritel'iil  pr*s-nie  of  lur  liainl,  "even  as  tboiipli  -he  vm  re  my  own  diuijk'liter 
—  na\,yoii  kf.ow  I  like  Noiiisi'lf  f^r  yiUir  open,  aliboiiiili  rattier  too  impel iinuM 
oliarai-ier.  l)<>yoii  t:en  tliiiik  tliai  trelin^  llii-,  it  can  In-  an\  otiier  liian  i\ 
hource  «f  iitrp  pain  and  \cxali  'ii  to  nu-  itt  ^^•e  llio-e  in  wlmm  1  letl  so  mu(;Ji 
Interest,  ali-iia  id  I 'om  eacli  oilier — in  some  di--re»'  e\en  niutualiy  l>aliiig 
ftiat   bal'  <!  .' 

•'Yet,  w  li.ii  w'oidd  yoii  have  nie  to  do.  my  drar  Mr-.  H' adley  ?  S  iiiii 
ooiuu'N^ioii  I  siii>pi>se,  iiiu-'l  l)e  in.ide.  Any  tbim.;  in  Ic  or  and  in  D'asoii  ui,| 
1  dii  l'«ir  your  wake,"  rciiuiied  llie  noiuil,'  «>tUc.r,  (Ki'ply  loiieliod  liy  lior 
inaniit'r  nm".  lan;xn  ije. 

*' Tlii.s  I  vvi-b  \tiii  to  <Io,  llirtayiio.  TaK(M.iie  lir-t  tavoraMts  opixn-fMiiify, 
either  while  oii  ).;iiard  fo-dav.  or  aIi.mi  iclii-vt-d  to-morrow,  to  see  lleid'ej 
privately,  an  1  bv  iicb  laii_;iia_^e  as  you  wi  II  know  bow  lo  ii-e.  remove  ti.e 
r.iitavoraiile  imprcs-i  'ii  ymi  have  lel'i  on  bis  minil — dipciid  upon  it,  altbo!));,fj 
extremely  cold  and  iiitie.\il)le  when  aiipar<iitly  br.ived,  my  liu-.b  iiid  ba-i  n 
wariu  and  ;.'en«*ro;i« — aye,  a  noble  lie:irt.  and  ^sill  iVecjy  :.rrant,  wbat  is  Irankly 
Solicited,  lie.'ir  in  m:iid,  moreover,  Koiiaviie.  ib  it,  it  is  no  liiiiniliati<>n  to 
udiiiit  error  when  (?.iii«,ei.ins  of  bavini^  ro  nniitied  ir  ;  and  if  tins  be  so  in  ilio 
Boci.d  relaf.ioiH  of  lif»i.  bow  'iiuib  K'>s  deiv»,::atiiry  is  it  in  a  military  seii-e." 

''Say  no  ::;o:v',  de;irr^i  .M.s.  ll.-adley,  -inee  it  is  \i.iir  wi«.li.  I  will  i;o,  mo 
matter  wlial  the  rec«i.io:i  I  eiicountoi- ;  and  any  firllicr  rebuke  I  may  laeol 
Willi   i  will  ineertuiiy  eniinre  tor  >our  .-ake."' 


00 


HAUD.SCKAI-.BI,:.  ;    Ull,   I'.'.K   V.AA.   <".•   (MKAl.O. 


—' 


5 
1 


I  I 


«*  "Nnw  tlien,  Tinij.iyiio,  y>!J  nr.-  oiici'  u;  ■■(>  yntrvy'f^  tin'  p'ii«'r.)'i9,  l.icrh* 
mil  ilfil  Ixiy,  l!i  wiioiii  I  i|>ii_'Ii  c!.  I'Vili  H-'  ii  iiiotlicT  wiHiul  tli-li::lit  in  lu'f 
hoii,  when  yon  tirsLaniv.il  1i<t«  .il>'>'it  tiirre  xfU'ti  :k.'o.  Yd,  !e»'<>!i«.'ri  i'mt 
II. 'I,  iiiily  /sli!i!l  bu  '.'iMiitii'd  iiii'i  bt'iivliil.tl  l»y  tlii',  but  i/ok  mihI  >/<>ni:i.  IaI 
bit  tlii.H  iiiili)i|i|iy  tlj.-ci.r.l  toniiiii;i;c.  un«l  Wf  sliull  t;n.'ii  b>'  uh;ii  miM  .-rs  mikI 
tbii-o  (•(HiiU'Ctfd  witli  tin  111,  (>iiL,'iit  c'Vcr  lo  bc--«>mi  iiinii\  iili.-tl  t.imi'y.  And 
now.  I'.ir  ihu  present,  I'lrfWi'll." 

"(Jiid  b'oss  Vol;!"  I'tTvciitly  oxcliiiMictl  tlio  fii-ilL'ti.  ft-  hi'  to  'ic  hi-'  li-ivo  <if 
the  j^raci'lul  Hiul  iiublo  vvit'o  ut"  liio  roiinii.iiitrnu  ot'i.t-r,  willi  cmh  aioiis  tli.-il 
fiiliy  tiHiilicil  the  ctl'eci  pntihtcc'd  upon  him  by  licr  goiu  roiis  conliilcucc  and 
can. lot'. 

l-'roiu  the  t'roquent  fcfV-i-onco  inadi'  hv  Mr:,  Ih-i'lK-y  to  her  own  ri;icr  ynrs, 
one  iiii;;ht  hii^o  boeii  indiice'l  to  eon-ider  hi-r  rallier  in  thv.*  tli'ehiie  nt  hlc, 
bill  siic.'i  WHS  not  tlie  CIS  •.  llor  spl.Mi.iid  and  inalriinly  li.'iire  iiii.'lit  indeiMl 
bav'.*  iinpri!-'i'd  liie  .-iiiii.rli.  .al  "bHi'ver  uiili  the  i)cl;et'  liiat  -la*  liad  i!<iini'».re(i 
•^iioru  th  III  forty  siitmnrr-,  hn\  'Am  "Miehainud  and  iijxnriait  hair — the  whiie, 
t'ven  iiiid  perleft  t  •clli — tlie  rioh,  fiiil  Dp,  and  uiiwrinkh'd  hi'nw,  and  smooth 
niiil  briliiaiil  eiieek,  Would  tint  have  ;>ermi:tod  \u<>  wo'naii  iii.>-i  Jealous  of 
b'-r  cha.'iii.s,  ciuiM  ^iich  have  he.Mi  ['■•uiid,  'i>  iM-oiMUnce  hei*  ninre  tliaii  h\X' 
und-tiiiny,  whe,  wi-.  i  ihe.i,  iit-r  aire.  It  was  a  -our. 'e  of  irratitieat.''n  t<» 
lier  l.>  eoiisider  ati.l  i'i'i:e-eiit  li.  r-eh  as  o! 'er  thoi  .s,e  I'e  ii;_\  wa«  ;  an.!  it 
Bbe  had  any  pi-cuii  iri'y — a  w.aknes,  it  (vmld  no!  ho  eail.  d  it  wh>  t  at  of 
Vtviii;;  lo  l'M»i<  ijjriii  t.iose  yt.iiiiic''  p.-r-  .ii-  v.lii  cli,!!!"!!  a  place  in  her 
tVii'iniship  and  esteem,  a-  t!io'ii,'li  -h.-  hi'luafly  --loii.l  in  the  iiiai.riia!  rrhrioii 
to  ilieiii.      Tins  111  ly  iiasf,  ill  .-o.nc  de^r.  e,  ar.seii  iVoin  the  t'aet  of  lier  iia\  ing 

evi.'r  lleell  chihlh'-S  her~eit. 

As  \i  .11  lyiie  appn-ailied  Klni-ley's  h.ni-o  on  his  return,  a  reiinckahly 
liaiHbome  and  n.)l>le  l.inkin:.-  Indian — ipiile  a  youth — was  le.iiiii/  a<:aiiist  tlio 
traiie.it  thedo.ir.  a'ld  a-.'.'O' di::;;  to  ihe  ^iniplc'  ';i;jhi!  ot  l.is  rare,  iiidulirin^ 
bis  eiirio-iiy  li\  inukin.r  at,  an.'.  I'liiiiriiii  all  tiiat  he  hehehl  within.  Eiin  h-y 
bini-eh  had  ;.'oiie  .»i!l.  ini'  V.iii  Voaenbei'L',  -till  Si-ate>l  at  lue  hre,ahla-t-t!ible, 
was  ili.s('ii.ssiii_'.  will'  '[-  remains,  tli.  nov,'  learlv  iinishe.l  cluror,  while  Mrs. 
Khnd.'y  aad  ,Marii  He\wo.i.l  wito  ^vated  .m  're  a  oppn-ile  to  ilio  doop, 
pas-ill:^  lli.ir  •vliisiM-ied  remark-  mi  tne  i:i'liaii,  who-t  sol'ieiied  dark  "zl.'inces 
oceadonally  tell  with  intense  ad.niralion  on  tne  lorme:',  when  he  t'aiicied  the 
jii't  un-eeii,  Inii  ;is  in-  aiiily  were  wiihdiMwn,  wlieii  he  peiveiv.d  tnai  it  was 
ob-ervi'd. 

Mr.-*.  Khiisley  \va-  end.-avoiliiL,'  to  liis-ipae  the  do;,.ctioii  (.f  ler  friend  by 
rall.\i:ig  lier.  as  i!e/  yoan;.'  .  Mi.-er  oamu  to  liu'  do..r,  i.ii  the  evhhnily  iievv 
con.jiiesi  fhe  Innl  ma.le.  'I'lic  liiilim  iiirned  to  1  mk  a;  t'lo  iiitrialer  iii.on  hill 
pi.  ii.'.:.int  iiin-in^-,  wlieii  ■•  '•■  waii  I"  expri-s^ivu  of  deep  .sati.-iadioii  e-ciped 
liini,  and  at  tho  saiiio  nionieiit,  lloiiaviie  grasped,  and  cor.iiully  -h.i.k  hiu 
t.id. 

••  II. I !  th  re  is  his  formid.iMe  riv.ih  and  soeinin^rly  Ids  frii  nd,"'  whi-ip-rei! 
\f.-..     Mhi. »'..•.      i-.    t'li-    1  ;i      "     M:r-"  1    -••  '.•oe'sitn.'    ('.•ll.tw^.  1.  •!  i    ..*'   '!■■     ■    ■■• 

niut'li  so.  tlmt  wert'   i   ^iiiLrio,   like  yon,   i   Hitaini    lune  .si.me  (lifiirnlty   ii 
clioo>ing  iK'tweei,  thein.'' 

As  -he  littered  these  w  r.!s.  a  -harp  nii.1  n!ia.t'..niita'i]e  t!:ii  u.  sudden  rtk'' 
fi'ditiji;  ns  tleciri.'it V,  shot  l  r^  iiixh  'lie  Ir.aine  ft'  1,.  r  I'rieial.  'I'i'e  hiood' 
(.n.hlcnii  ruviied  I'roiii  her  ci  f.'k,  .ai.d  lluii  ripidv  retui  ninj-,  >i;tlii-e.i  ii  wirii 


- 


- 


iiAUDPruAnni.K  ;  ok,  tiik  fail  or  riucvoo. 


fit 


li.-r 

t'iKt 
.'llt(i 

Aii.l 


ii'e. 


i)it». 


!•...> 


ii 


tbnrntnj?  neat, 

"  Wliat  i-<  tlio  iiinftcf,  my  Inve?  Are  you  ill,  yoii  looked  go  p.-iV- just  now  f^ 
toiidi'rly  Iriijuirid  Mrs.  KIiii>li'y. 

**  I  cannot  iiccount  t'«'r  wlmt  I  eNpfrii-iicivl.  It  was  u  r'iliii^'  <!!ftcTi'n; 
frojn  nu\  I  li.nl  i'\»'r  known  Itolnre — a  .-tr;in;:«',  uil.!.  mid  inixplt  aldo  drc/nl 
of  I  kiio  V  not  uliat.  But  ii  li!i->  iia>^ed  away.  Takf  no  noii-t-  oi  it,  lU.ir. 
bi'f'irc  lintiax  n^'.'' 

"Mrs.  Klnishy,"  said  the  latter,  aluvst  n-iiiu'  fono  to  induce  tlie  ni(i!>  »r- 
lookiiiir  youi'j;  Indian  to  i-nter  tjie  room,  '•  w  ill  you  , 'ill.. w  nieliist  to  ihtio- 
diu'f  ni\  iViriid  W  inManjrt'L*  to  yon,  and  tlien  lo  civc  luni  a  frla-<  of  rlan-i  I 
F'lr^'ivf  till.'  lilx'ity  I  take,  l>ni  I  coure-is  a  pt.id  deal  ot'  onlij;alion  to  liim, 
btnl  Would  tain  do  tlie  civil  in  rctuiii." 

"  IntU't  (1  I    wiuit   :i   >(.*t   spci(di  lor  a  j:la«s  of  wine,     (live  if  to  liini  ly  rtl 
means,  it   ii  is  only  lor  his  hcauiifid  eye — tliat   i.x   to  say,  it'  ilie  lioctor  liat 
let'l  any — or  -■  i\,  I  will  j,'ct  auotlier  bottle" 

"  By  ni»  luian-,"  returned  f  e  yoiuiir  ••Micor,  ''lids  uncMnscicMalde  tnnii 
has  jn-t  let!  almut  halt'  a  Uinddcr  f'ldl,  and  I  do  iimi  inteiid  he  shall  havo 
liMH'e.  NVatMiati;ree,"  he  [iiir-ued,  Ht'li-r  lillinu' and  |.i-e>ciir  ii;.'  Iiiin  with  thw 
jrhiss,  "that  i'i  the  lady  ot'  the  hniiSf,"  [(oiniii;^'  to  .Mrs.  i-.hii- ley,  '*  \ou  iuii>t 
diink  to  hi  r  hea'fh." 

"And  di^  Villi  ii;iiid-"iiic  ^(]iaw."  remarked  the  Indian,  ji  mommt  or  two 
nfler  havi'i;:  tos«ed  m|1'  the  wine,  which  i|uicklv  rii'cnl^iied  :lir<Hi;.di  hi*  \eins. 
"  I>i<  you  wic^'  he  re|na:ed,  lh;^."^|||^;  his  e\|ire---ive  eyes  ii|)>in  Mis.i 
Ueywood.  while  a  licli  ulow  htrhleil  up  his  dark,  hut  liiiely  toiiiied  t'e.atii'es. 

"  llii-h  !  '  >  lui  Koiv-.ue.  iiiakiuL,'  a  .•«ir;n  to  iiiiiniate  th.at  he  wa>  not  lo 
hidnlire  in  >ucli  oh-er;atjons. 

Bh!  evi'ii  I  he  »mall  'luaiiliiy  of  wijie  he  had  t'tkiii  was  actiu};  potei'tlv  on 
tlie  fast  :i;ii:iia!:iiL,'  lieii.in.  '*  l)i->  \\<<  you  .s(|uaw — di<  W.oitiiiejee  vqcuv,'' 
he  Slid,  with  ^iroiivr  exci:eiin'iif  of  inamier.  "  \Vaiiii:in;.'i'e,  see  hiiii  lie  inll'ul, 
Wannaii^i'e  ;.'ot  wain:  heart — l"ve  him  very  iiiueh  !" 

" 'I'oh  rai>  y  ^"  I'il  tor  a  nii'de^i  \iiuth!"  exclaimed  ihe  hui^'hin;;  Mrs. 
Ellii-leV.  '*  Wh'i  Wnidd  liave  lhoim!il  tlat  one  wiili  llio-e  -oil  hl;icl.  e\«s, 
more  tilted  fr  a  w.imaii  tluui  a  mai',  w<iu!d  hazard  .so  ulouiii^  u  >|Hich, 
at'ltT  an  ai(ju  liniaiu-e  o!'  liarelv   li\e  muiuti  »  f" 

"  Wh'i  ^a^  •- C'hica:.'' tloi'<.iri  ahinind  in  iidvt  nturi- ?"  sin'eri'(l  Von  \'o;ien- 
berji,  as  III-  aio>e  and  |)i>-ed  into  the  apart  iiieiit  ot'  hi-,  paieiit.  "I  ^l.:dl 
certainly  wrih'  a  h' ok  ;ilMMit  thi-  wl.in  i  ir>\  \<iu-k  into  tlio  ei\ili/ed  uir!«i, 
BUM  eniille  i'  'The-  l.oves  of  the  llan'!>'oM.e  Waunai  fT*  >',  ai.d  the  lieainiful 
Amei'ic.an.'  " 

'"Yon  lad  httter  wri'e  'Tie  I.ii\i'S(,["  the  I'a;  N'mi  \'olfe?ihi  r^'.  niid  Id.H 
Mistress,  Whi-ky  rnnch,' "  remaikid  Ihuift.Mie.  peevishly,  ior  in  spite  of 
himself,  he  fell  annoyed  at  an  idi-ervition,  which  he  thon;.,'lit  delicacy  might 
have  Hp.'ireil.      '■  ('mi  e,  \\'an!.;m'_'«e.  my  l'omiI  !'rii'iid.  we  must  ^,>.'' 

But  i.he  youiiy  Indi.in  wa-;  iioi  so  e;:-il\  !•  d.  •*  \\  auiiaii;:ee  havo  him  firnt 
dis  nice  s<piaw,"  Ik-  said,  with  all  that  sln'W  ..f  do-t'.  d  (.h-liniicy  which  s-o 
UsUallv  (li-tin;ruisii(S  l.i>  race,  winii  nndrr  tlie  intlueiice  of  liipau',  and  lieiit 
opoi)  the  atlainment  of  a  p.irlii  ..lar  oi  J,  ci . 

"Hear  me.  Waunaii^'."."'  replied  liie  oiltT,  placiin'  lis  h;ind  np-iii  liis 
i»ionl(U-r,  and  ii'iw,  thai  Mis.  Klmsle\  tnily  w  as  pre-eut  wiili  hi-  atii-nced, 
feeling  less  sCiui'U'  in  exiiainmy  to  l!ie  J'oiiniJ  >avage   -■•  ihal  i-  m\  .•M4i;art— • 


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Hiotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WMSTER,N.Y.  14580 

(716)  372-4503 


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02 


iiai;ds'.:i:aubi.f.  ;  or,  ti:j:  fall  of  cuicago. 


my  wire." 

'  Why  yoii  no  tell  him  bo?"  aski'd  tlie  yn\ith,  gravely,  nnd  \ritli  nn  air  of 
reproach,  while,  at  the  name  time,  he  fixed  his  sot't  and  meliuiclinly  eyes 
upon  Miss  HeywMdd.  "  Waiman;_'ee  love  ofticer's  sqiiuw — but  W'auiuinjretj 
piiod  iie.'iri.  Shake  him  hand,  my  friend,"  he  coiitinued,  walkini.'  up  to  her, 
Hiid  tci'driii'ir  his  own,  wliile.  Hiit;ular  as  it  eeemed  to  all.  a  tear  dimmed  '  \t 
eye,  and  stole  down  his  cheek.  "  "bpuso  no  \Vaiinaiig«jo  wile — }\)\.i  \>uu 
naugec's  friend  ?" 

Tlio  generous  but  trembling  girl,  shook  cordially  the  hand  that  lested  ic 
her  uvvu,  and  a:?sured  the  youih,  ic  a  way  easily  luieiligiide  to  him,  that,  aa 
tile  iriend  of  her  husband,  and  siie  blusi.ed  deeply,  as  the  moment  afterwards 
she  became  sensible  she  had  used  a  word,  siie  could  not  but  feel  to  be  prema- 
ture, she  would  always  regard  him  witli  friendsiup  and  esteem. 

'*  What  a  nice  little  scene  we  might  get  up  out  of  tins  morning's  adven- 
ture," .^-aid  tiie  ever  g.iy  Mrs.  Elmslev,  as  Waunangee,  after  liaving  shaken 
liauds  with  lier>elf,  departed  with  liouayne.  "Keaily,  my  dear,  lie  is  a  tine 
looking,  and  certainly  a  warm-hearted  fellow,  that  VVau — VVau—— what's 
his  name,  Maria  ^" 

*'  Waunangee.  1  l<now  not  how  it  is,  Margaret,  or  why  I  should  attach 
80  much  importance  to  the  thing,  but  if  ever  those  glimpses  of  the  future, 
called  [ire-eutiments,  had  foundation  in  truth,  tiiat  youug  ludiau  is  destined 
to  ttXercin;  sonic  snri  ot  intiueuce  over  my  fate." 

"  You  do  not  mean  that  he  is  to  supi)lant  liouayne,  I  lio[te,"  returned  her 
friend,  trying  to  laugii  her  out  of  the  serious  mood,  iu  which  she  seemed  eo 
much  ineliiietl  to  iiitiulge. 

*'  iiow  can  you  speak  so,  Margaret  ?  No,  my  presentiment  is  of  a  different 
character.  But  it  is  very  foolisii  and  ^illy  to  allow  the  feeling  to  weigh  witli 
me.  1  will  try  to  tiiink  more  rationally.  Say  nothing  of  this,  however,  and 
least  oi  all  to  Konayne." 

"  Hoi  a  Word,  dearest.  Good  bye  ibr  the  present.  I  niuat  look  after  the 
dinner.     You  know  who  dines  witn  us." 

A  look  expies.-ive  ;>f  the  deep  s»;iiso  she  entertained  of  the  consideration 
of  her  Iriend,  was  the  only  commeutury  of  Miss  Heywood,  as  she  passed 
inio  her  motiier's  apartment. 


—       » 


OUAPTER    XI. 


It  was  now  the  middle  of  May.  A  mouth  had  elapsed  since  the  events 
detailed  in  the  preceding  chapters.  The  recollection  of  the  outrage  at 
Uey  wood's  farm,  committed  early  in  April  was  fast  d\ing  away,  save  in  the 
bosoms  of  those  more  iiniiiediat(.ly  interested  in  the  fate  of  its  proprietor, 
and  apprehensions  of  a  repetition  of  similar  atrocities  had,  in  a  great  measure. 
Ceased.  A  better  undeistaiuiiug  between  the  comnumding  «diBcer  and  liis 
bubordinates — the  result  of  a  long  private  interview,  which  Ensign  Konayne 
hail  had  with  the  I'ormer,  on  the  morniug  after  his  promise  to  Mrs.  lieadley, 
followed  by  an  apology  on  parad'  that  (la,\,  had  arisen.  Corporal  NIaou  was 
now  Sergeant  Nixon — Collins  had  succeeded  to  him,  and  Le  Noir  and  the 
hoy — CaLlioiic  and  Protestant — liad  been  buried  in  one  grave.    Ephraim 


lIAliDSCKABCLi:;    oil,    TIIK  FALL  01'   (  HICAGO. 


83 


nn  air  of 
Imly  eyes 
auiiitnjrea 
I])  to  iier, 
nined  '  ia 
)  l)U  \>  uu 

lested  in 
1,  that,  aa 
kt'terwurda 
be  preiua- 

i^'s  advea- 
ig  shakoa 
le  is  a  tine 
—what's 

uld  attach 
;he  future, 
d  destined 

urned  her 
aeeiutid  eo 

a  different 
»-eigh  with 
^ever,  aud 

after  the 

sideratioa 
iho  patified 


le  events 
utrage  at 
ave  iu  the 
)ro[.)rieu»r, 
I  ujciiijure, 
r  and  UU 
limiayne 
.  licuiUey, 
Mi.\oii  was 
and  tlio 
Epiiraim 


("ii!(M  (Hied  the  otlico  of  t;iv?'o!ii.ii  t"  \'iiii  V  ■!to:il>fr_',  wn'i.~e  love  of  whi^'ky 
j»..liC..,  w  t.s,  it  i)o>-ihk',  oil  liio  ilicre.i-c.  vViiiiicbrj^.  li.o  lieart,-!"  ol'  (.'onli- 
U'  iitial  uesputcla'.-,  aimoUiiciiig  liie  Imt-tiie  (r>i>o.-i;ion  and  ucl-  ft  i'<!..iiii  of 
U<<j  Wiiiuchagues,  had  nut  rutunied,  and  Wiainaiigce,  uiio,  lucove;  ftl  li<>i.\ 
H:e  I'uiiKa  t)t'  ihe  chuvt,  liail,  iu  an  uarnosl  manner,  exprcs-ed  lo  lkuna_\nt 
ciialriiion  for  ihu  liher.y  lie  had  taken  witli  Miss  Hey  wood,  had  ikpaiteil 
fro.m  liie  neighborliood,  no  one  knew  wiiitiier,  ilarintiny,  m  a  uoni,  liad 
becu  suiiie  days  re^tor..•d  in  the  Fort,  and  tlie  only  thing  II. a;  delrac.cd  tr.>iii 
tlie  geneial  onientnient,  was  the  uncertainty  attendnig  the  t'aie  ot  Mr. 
ileywood — rt'grelteu  les<,  however,  tor  his  own  sake,  tiian  lor  that  ol'  his 
aiiiia:.le  daiijihter,  who  vainly  soiigiit  to  cwuceal  fr>>in  lier  fi  iend>,  tin.-  aiixioty 
indiirod  i»y  an  ah.-^ence.  the  diiratiou  of  wnieh  it  was  uiteily  i.njiO'sihie  lo 
divine.  As  for  .Mrs.  11.  y wood,  she  was  siiil  in  ignorance,  so  \\ell  had  things 
been  nianagcd  hy  tue  Elmsleys,  tliat  aii\  of  tiie  fearful  scenes  liad  o.viirred. 
bile  sili  belie -I'd  her  iiii-haiid  lo  be  at  lne  farm. 

i>u!,  as  it  .\ as  not  likely  she  coiihl  nuii'h  longer  remain  in  ignoriince  of 
wlittt  had  ln'fii  the  siihit-ct  at'  tioiivt  rsal;oii  with  every  one  jirouiid  liei\  it 
wa,-.  ;idvi-ed  by  Von  Vottenherg,  that,  as  the  wainitii  of  >[ f  ng  «.<.-«  i....a 
fnl!\  developed,  and  all  dread  of  the  Indians  resuming  iln  ir  i,o-tih'  \i>i!.  at 
an  e!id,  she  should  he  flionveved  back  to  the  eott.cv,  tlie  I'lire  air  aroiiii<| 
wliieh,  was  much  more  likely  to  improve  her  heal  h,  tliini  t!ie  coiifiin-d 
.•itmi's[»here  of  the  Fort.  Siie  had  accordingly  been  DMnoved  thi:h«.r  early 
in  May,  aeeoinpanied  by  Iier  daughter  and  Cathfrine. 

Konayne.  of  course,  become  once  more  a  daily  visitor,  and  soon  heni-atlj 
liis  hand,  the  garden  began  again  to  assume  tlie  bcai.tilul  {:arl»  it  had  uorn 
at  that  seasi»ii,  for  the  last  two  years.  The  interviews  of  the  lovers  here, 
freed  from  the  restraints  imposed  upon  tlicm  while  in  the  Foi't,  liad  resume'd 
t!iat  ft-rvenl  chaiacier  which  had  marked  tlu'in  on  the  arteiiiooii  ot  tlie  day 
\\lien  they  so  sokiiinly  interchanged  their  vows  ot  undying  luith.  Tlu-y 
liiiw  no  longer  merely  looked  their  love.  They  spoke  nt  it — drank  in  tho 
sweet  avdwal  from  each  others  lips,  and  luxuriated  in  the  sweet  phasnre  it 
iiniiaited.  'i'liev  Were  as  the  whole  world  to  eacli  otiier.  and  al;lu)iiirli 
laiii^iiage  coii'd  not,  convey  a  warmer  expression  of  their  t'eeliiig>'.,  than  hud 
ulieady  gone  t'oiili  tVoui  their  li|>s,  still  was  the  repetiiion  replete  with  a 
pvNeetnt'ss  that  never  jialled  upon  the  ear.  Like  the  nnin  who  never  tircr* 
of  giziiig  ui».in  his  gold,  so  did  they  never  tire  of  the  treasures  ot  tho 
expressed  luve,  tliat  daily  i:rew  more  intense  in  their  hearts.  And  yet, 
not  withstaiiiiing  this  utter  devotedness  of  soul — notwiihstaiiing  her  flattering 
he..i't  ctmt'e-sed  in  secret  the  fullest  realization  of  those  dreams  which  had 
tihed  and  sustained  her  in  early  girllujod — alheit  the  assurance  the  lelt  thar, 
in  Iloiiayne,  she  had  fouml  the  impersonation  of  tiie  imaL'inmus  tif  her 
matiirer  liie,  still  whenever  )  e  ui'ged  her  in  glowing  liingnage  to  name  the 
day  wiien  she  wonid  bticon.e  his  wife,  she  evade<l  an  answer,  not  Irom 
( ai'i'ice,  hut  because  s-,e  w.idd  not  bring  to  him  a  heart  clomh  «1  hy  the 
sdglilest  tinge  ol  that  aii>iety  wiilt  wi.ich  ignorance  of  her  father's  tiiie, 
coiiid  lint  fail  to  shade  it.  A  paii.lul  circnm-tance  whie'li  hapi.tned  ahwul 
that  period,  at  Ien;;ih,  hovVever,  hroiigh:  alfairs  to  a  cri-i<. 

It  was  a  lovely  evening  towards  the  dose  of  May,  and  after  a  siuuewiiat 
Miltry  morning  w.'iich  liad  been  devoted  to  a  ride  on  horseback  alont;  the  lake* 


M 


i!.Mnih('i{.\t5i{i.K  •  on,  Tui:  kai.l  oi'  rnic\of). 


I 


shore — Mrs.  llo.-idlry  and  Aliv.  ELn.-lt-y,  wlio  had  acconipajiierl  tliem,  liaving 

returned  Ikhiio,  tli.i!  Uoi'.ayne  ;ind  liis  bclrnt  itil  mt.  in  tlio  little  smmiiHr- 
ijouse  al:e.i<!y  (leseiilifd.  >.lrs.  Ik-ywDod  wlio  liad  been  so  far  reeovered 
frt'iii  lur  \v<-akiie!-s  i.y  tlie  change  ut'  iiir,  as  ut  lake  flight  ext-rcise  in  the 
garfit'ti,  hUj)|»on((i  by  her  (h'lnnhter,  ai.d  tiie  yt'Uipg  otlieer,  had  on  thig 
occasion  expr-^-efi  a  ui>h  lo  jmii  tlieni,  in  order  tnat  >iie  might  inhale  the 
Boft  breeze  that  blew  I'roui  liie  sonili,  and  eniov  onee  more  the  scenerv  of 
the  long  rc;uh  "I"  tiie  rivei-,  wiiich  wonnd  its  .scriiiMitine  oonrse  tVoii)  the 
direction  ot'  ilic  Carni.  'I'd  ;hi~  de-ire  no  ot'ier  objcctinn  \v;is  otferid,  than 
what  \va^'  t-uggt'snd  b\  hu'  conijianions,  iroin  an  !ij)i)rehen-ii'n  lliat  tha 
latigiK-  of  tiie  ascent  woiild  be  :oo  gie.it  for  Inr,  Sii'-,  iiowever,  |>fr.siste(l 
in  lier  wi.s'i,  dtclaring  that  she  felt  her-elf  (jinte  strong  enough — an  .-is.-erticn 
tbr  wiiich  lier  reiurniiig  coIit  gave  some  *'\  idetici'.  Tiiey  ceased  to  oi>|io.se 
her.  It  wa>  liie  lir-t  time  liie  iiividid  h;id  been  in  the  suinnier-honse,  since 
the  same  period  tiie  preceding  spring,  and  naturally  jiijsociating  the  re<'ol;t'C- 
tioii  of  lur  hiobaiid,  uith  the  laniilar  objects  in  tlie  distance,  she  took  lier 
(ijuigliter\s  haiiii,  aiid  said  in  a  low  and  iiU.-ky  voice,  tha;  jwoved  liow  much 
she  lia<l  overrated  her  own  strength  : 

•'liow  is  it,  Maria,  my  lo\e,  that  v\e  iiave  seen  nothing  of  your  father, 
lately  i  I  have  never  known  him,  since  we  have  been  in  tills  part  of  tiie 
ciiuuiry,  t(»  be  >o  long  ab.-<ent  from  us  at  one  time."' 

"■  Nay,  dear  mamma,"'  returned  the  pained  girl,  tln^  teai's  starting  to  rier 
eves,  in  si'iie  of  ln-r  elTorts  to  restrain  them,  "  1  do  nor  exactlv  know 
wlijil  can  detain  him.  I'eriiaps  he  is  imt  at  the  I'arnj,''  and  liere  her  tear.i 
force<l  tlieir  way — "xtui  know,  dearest  mnnuna,  ti.aL  he  is  very  fond  of 
K)ng  hun;iiig  exeur.-ions." 

"Yes,  but,  my  cJiild,  why  do  you  \veept  Surely  there  is  nothing  in  thai 
^o  p;u>lure  >ia'h  emotion.     lie  will  soon  be  back  again."' 

•Mih:  ve~  I  lione  M>.  Foririve  me,  my  deai  mamma,  but  I  hcNe  a  very 
Uad  h*ad-aclie,  and  never  felt  more  nervous  than  1  do  i  :is  eveinng.  I'erhftp« 
it  u  t!io  etfect  ot  my  ride  in  the  heat  of  tlie  sun.  6iiail  wu  go  on.  it  it 
nearly  "Un-e:,  ami  1  dread  your  being  exposed  it»  the  i;ig!it-air." 

■'Uli!  it  is  s(i  (ielicimi>,"  sofily  reiurned  the  invalid;  "1  feel  as  if  I  had 
net  iived  ;o.'  ih;j  la-t  twelve  months,  until  now.  (.)niy  a  litle  while  longer, 
siiail  1  not,  Mi'.  lii)'iayiie?  Perhaps  I  may  never  have  an  oppi/tunity  of 
a^eenoing  to  th;s  >ummei'-liouae  again." 

Diiiing  liiis  .siiori  eioivernation,  trilling  in  itself,  but  conveying,  under  the 
CiriMim.-lani  es,  s  >  muci:  "iul'J' ci  for  detj)  and  [laiiil'ul  leliect.on.-,  liie  yoimg 
fillioer  Had  evinc-'d  mu(  h  rL'>lles-ness  of  manner,  yet  without  iiiterposinj» 
uiiy  other  remark  tliaii  to  j.un  .Miss  llevwooil's  eulieaties  that  her  mother 
w.iUid  suitor  herself  to  be  conducted  home,  before  the  dew  should  l/jgin  to 
fall,  in  order,  moreover,  as  much  as  pi),i-ibie  to  leave  tliem  uninterrupted  iu 
the  iinh.lgence  ot'  tlieir  feelings,  lie  had  I'lom  the  first  tis^-u,  and  stood  with 
his  back  ti)  thein,  within  the  eni ranee  of  tiie  summer  Jiouse,  atid  was  now, 
Willi  a  view  to  drown  their  c-inversiition  to  his  own  ear,  whistling  to  Loup 
Garim,  sitting  on  his  liaumhes  outside  the  garden-gate,  looking  tixedly  at 
liim. 

Toi'clied  by  the  account  he  had  received  of  the  fidelity  of  the  dog,  he 
had,  with  the  con^ent  of  Serjeant  Nixon,  who  was  glad  to  secure  for  his 
bivui  ite  au  kiud  a  i>rotector,  become  Dossessed  of  him  from  the  moment  of 


. 


^i^ 


II  vr.i  s^(  ]:  s,!!:>.Li'  ;   oi 


iTi".  )•  •.•  I-  (  !'  cincAr.f). 


Imving 
iiimniT- 
covered 

)  in  tlie 
on  this 
liile  th« 
■iiery  <»f 
•oin  llie 
1(1,  than 
iliiit  ll.a 
>fr."Niste(l 
is^-erticn 

se,  cilice 
rc'coliec- 
look  lier 
)\v  niiu:l« 

ir  father, 
ri  of  the 

;;  to  iier 

ly  know 

her  tear.i 

foiiii  of 

g  in  that 

,  e  a  very 

I'erhapK 

n.     It  if 

if  I  had 

e  longer, 
unity  ot 


^\i 


n  Home ;  n 


ml  iimi',  \\  M-  '.   ti 


;n 


in'  tlij/rcf  i.iiiiiiO'i  tilt'  sorrnw 


K' 


(ler  the 

young 

t-rposin^ 

mother 
^/i^in  ti; 
iu[)le(l  iu 
)(i(l  with 
,va-*  now, 

to  Liiup 
ixedly  at 

dog,  ha 
e  for  his 
inent  of 


ol    ill     ;uil  iliU  U>V  lii;'  1.I--  111    uiio    1m;i».<-  ,  lt.'iui< 


c  i  i-iiiv  ke'ii   111-   i!!-M 


•t 


■ 


i>l  :/ ;;;riiMh.Mt  !iU'  ,  ii-  ni  h  ■!'.  U'iiiii.i  liic  iii  ■iilli  ;ii-  li  nl  i'v'c:i  li!-,  cv  i.':'y  I'.vre 
h.ui  i.'Lcii  lake  i  i),\  liuiiayiio  ^i'mi!--!,,  >>  wdi  u--  by  lii.-,  r-ervjiiit,  ii>  \\>a;i  il.w 
uiuurner  iVdih  tiio  ir^a-c  o:  l.o  NiM',  o;i  wliii-ii,  lur  tin.'  lir>t^o\v  <1  i .^  ^,  'lO  iiJil 
i:i;ii.  a.i.-oi'bi;il  in  ;;r;' I — I'clu.-ii.g  ail  io.'d,  nnlil,  yii'liiiiiL'  a!  k-iijri'i  lo  the 
voiC'.'  cf  kiinhio:.-,  his  nnjiiK'Ty  cl'  ihe  [>a-l  .-coua-d  to  Ji.iV'.'  t'ai;e>i  wiiul'V 
uway. 

lii'M  ivne,  howes'i  r,  iVnin  a  fc  ir  of  oxcitinv  ni4.'li'!U-ant  rt'i'ururt',.'ns  I.i 
thn.-v-  \vi:o  wiitv  iiii;  i^iiiiraiiL  ot  iliu  roriiier  i)o>itiiin  of  tiio  ilij^.  liao  i^ipifa- 
vua.cl  as  niucu  a.i  |)iis.-^ibi(.',  Lo  i/rcvtjuL  him  troin  er(is>iiii^  tlic  riwr  (iiirinj; 
iu-  vi,-!t,.s  to  Lhf  collage  ;  l)Ut,  wiihin  the  last  lotir  or  live  (iays,  L  aiii  vi  iTcii 
Wo.iiil  no:  iii;i,  I)!,."  kcjiL  tiacl<,  a:  (I  vheU  fX[ielkMl  fiMiu  tile  lioHt,  had  »\\a:il 
aui)--,  laaiiu;  up  h:s  >taLion  al  liic  ;4aie,  bi'vomi  wliieh,  liowe^er,  In'  dii  imt 
pr.  -u  ;if  li)  pa-s,  as  if  .-cMi.>iiile  that  tiio  ticlieaU'  iiarur;v:i  \vi,li";,  wero 
ill  '■I'-.ii-lcd  ni'o.iiiil,  and  laei'e  ;i;eiifr,i;'y  1  iy  -4iia"U'd  wiiii  lii-  no-c  ilsmhj^  ou 
the  ;.;ia--,  bel\vei.ii  lii.i  ouL>lrerclK'd  t'. i!"e-[>aw.-,  nnlil  lii.s  in  isler  caiieluiiii 
{>\\  li,.-  reMi/n  iioinu. 

I'll!.'  iiiifxiiLM'ieii  aiiii  c!icoui',i;i';ii;j;  whistle  of  the  laU'-r  on  t;ds  ccoido:!, 
wiuc;;  had  been  given  in  [)tire  uueoaciDii.-iieris,  iM;i-ed  liini  lo  [iriek  liis  e  i!-,-j, 
an>i  ii-teriiiu,'  i,  .--liarji  cry,  lie  sj/rany  over  the  :ra;e,  honndii'U'  ra[)idly  to.\ard.-) 
I  e  r::iiiieii''e  ou  \vli:ch  hi,-  nia-ler  .-loud.  Auoiit  h;ill'-'.v;iy  beluceu  its  l).ise 
find  ihc  .s.,njinir,  there  was  a  iieautitui  ro.-i^-iiu-li  which  had  ueen  plaaiei!  by 
lioi!a\  lie,  and  irum  \vhic;i  he  hao  i»hukid  two  tlowers,  f^ii'  tiie  mother  and 
daU;.;Mie.',  dm  ing  the  a-cenl,  and  i»re.-enle  1  with  a  luunl  thai,  was  i;l»sei'ved 
by  .\laria  lies  Wood  U;  li\inh:e,  and  a  cheek  unwoniecily  ji.d.'. 

On  arriving-  o[)[)03i;e  liiu  rose-tree,  tiie  anii/ia'  suddenly  stopped,  and 
pu  ihij,'  iiis  iio-e  to  rho  gi'oiind  (.•lo.->e  under  it,  and  -irllia;;  ;dnio.-L  tui'iously, 
un'';''.'d  a  jnv'i'iuy.-d  ami  meianchoiy  iiowi,  wniie,  wilh  lus  fore-paws  lie 
bi!-;an  til  .-craicb  up  liie  loo.-e  earth  aroiuid,  regardles.-.  of  the  voice  I'f 
Ids  ina,-.tv.-r,  wno  .eiiewed  his  wliisLhn_'',  and  called  ii[n)ii  him  almost  an;j;rily 
l(.>  d',-  d.-U 

Aiaimi'.d  a;  this  [lerseverance  of  action,  the  ensign  descended  to  t)i(>  spot 
— .aid  ii.md-  mi  Loap  Uarou.  and  soiigliL  ti»  remove  him,  hut  the  animal, 
rfrngof  ii.c;.--fnl.  in  liie  chest — and  i-ii  the  pie-ciu  occa.don,  Ui  der  tiiO 
inline. ice  of  In  i  m-  i:n[>ul.-e,  was  not  to  tie  I'esii-iiined. 

I  Uv-  m.i.in.ii  ,  o,  t:,e  dog — i  he  ilescent — tne  ci)ri\'C  ive  voice  of  hi  •  master, 
ai'.d  I:ie  -eem,n--  struggle  of  botii  to  attain  opiio.-iie  ['ni-po-e-,  natarjilly 
m!"  ■  ic  ed  tie  .r  '•n;ion  i)i  those  above,  and  they  both  ro.-e  and  iie.ire  :  to  the 
■..■::i-- .v,i\  i;-iM:\n.>  ;iai  -o  recently  qiiitteil.  I'heir  horroi'  inav  we'd  ua 
imagined  wln-u,  on  lookin:,'  i|o>sii,  ili.\  toniid  ii.it  i,;.-  dog  iiaii  nrvsay 
nncioered  a  human  body,  which,  llioiiLTi  di^tli^iired  and  parti-d  y  deco|i:j,o-.B<i, 
lii:a!  and  conjiu-al  atreciuin  too  clearly  d:stillglli^hed  a-  tne  taliuM'  ol  tin.'  oiiti, 
ine  h  isband  or   tiie  otiier  ! 

I'l  eriiig  a  i'eebie  ^Invek,  Mrs.  Ib/vwood  fed  inseiisilile  \\ithin  the  tlav.-J- 
hold  of  the  stiniiner-dn  u-e,  wnile  !.•  r  d.ang'iri-i',  ].■^s  overwii'dtin-il.  bm  ui  h 
I.  ^iii  gs  impl>s^ih!e  to  {\i-~i\  ;hc,  -tooled  and  chat'ed  h'^r  mofi^tr'.-  tmnpi  -,  :■]•({ 
liotwiihst.aiidi' g  ■•!  hmn  id  tiioii^hr,  w  i,i<'li.  <  e-pile  Inn-  own  \\l'd,  -Ina  l.n.  nu'li 
ller  niind,  that  the  man  to  whom  she  had  given  every  atleclion  ol'  nm-  Inarf, 
>vus  iji  com.'  degree  counccied  with  this  liunid  speolacle,  she  caliei'  veliO 
iiit;ai..v  to  him  for  assistance. 


9(1  TIAUnSCIlAlJlU-K  :    oil,    TIIK    KAM.    OK   (  UlCAfU). 

Til'-'  sitiifitiuii  i>(   ilii!  |n.'ii'loxr(l  otHcer  was  soarcoly  le<s  pMnifiii,     On  <! 


>9 


rn 


e  i';iri(l,  MM'iiiii:  jtil  t'it-  ii'  ('(.'rsi' y  in  rwuiiniiiir  liis  iri'a-i)  of  Luiip  (iurcd,  a<j 


tin.'  oiilv  ijii;iii>  (if  -ii-fv  fiiiii  ir  liiiii  from  I'liillife"  tiiiciiVt.'riiit;  ol'  tlie  bodv — 


llie  </ilK'r,    i;r^\tl    i'\'  tlio   .suiiiiiiihh  of  ln-r,  wlmm   Jit-  kin-w,  from  litT  v 


iiiniiiii'r,  lo  he  ill 


on 
try 


-ion  of  lliis  frjirfiil  si'crrt,  Ills  riiicd  bi'coiiie  a  [)erfoi't 


cli.'uw,  !iii(i  1,11  ije  drops  ol'  ptT-piraiion  sircjiiiu-d  from  his  brow.  In  iMa 
irritiitiiiir  dik'Uiin.!,  a  >iid(ic'[i  tniiis|)ort  of  mgii  took  posst-ssion  of  his  ht-arr. 
and  >cizin;i;  LomJ)  Craroii  v.  i  h  both  liis  hiind-^,  be  so  compres-ed  them  around 
Ijis  .hroai,  ilnit  the  doir.  ah'eiidy  exhau-fed  with  his  exertions,  was  half- 
Biranj^l^'d  before  beinir  raised  wiiii  a  frantic  offorl,  and  dnshed  with  violence 
upon  the  body  he  liad  so  iiniiaiipily  bei.-ii  instrninenral  in  discovering;. 

Scarcely  li;id  this  been  done — a  low  nioanin;^  from  Lonp  Garoii,  as  if 
reproaching;  him  for  the  act,  alone  denotiiiir  that  he  breathed,  when  the 
ensign  Jlew  nj)  the  steps  of  tlie  siimmer-hotise,  and  regaidless  of  the 
involiintary  half->hudder  of  iiis  betrothed,  as  lie  approached,  caught  the 
insen>ible  invalid*  in  Ids  arms,  and  so  carrying  her,  that  her  eyes,  if  she 
shoidd  (>jien  tliem,  could  not  enconnter  the  h«>rrid  spectacle  below,  again 
rapidly  desctiidetl,  and  hniried  towards  the  honse.  Mai-ia  Heywooii,  on 
passing  the  rose  tree  so  recently  prized,  but  now  si)  abhorrent  to  her  sii.dir, 
co'ild  iK.t  ri'>i>t  a  ^trong  impul>e  t«)  bxd;  upon  the  mysteries  .-o  st'-aiiirely 
unveiled,  but  although  the  iwiliaht  had  not  yet  passed  away,  nothing  coiild 
be  >een  Unt  the  displaced  earth,  and  stretched  over  the  excavation  J)e 
himself  had  made,  the  motioides<  body  of  tlie  dog. 

Sick  at  iienrt,  and  with  wild  and  nnconiiected  images  floating  tlirongli  her 
heated  bi'ain,  >lie  followed  almo-t  mechanically  to  the  cottage. 

Tills  was  IK)  time  for  ceremony.  When  answering  ihe  loud  ring,  Catherine 
Bppeare<l  bur;  iedly  ai  the  door,  Ilonayne  bore  his  inanimate  charge  into  her 
bid-room,  and  in  silence  and  deep  grief,  son<rht,  by  every  means  in  bin 
power,  to  restore  her.  Jiiit  all  hisettbrts  proving  vain,  he,  in  a  state  of  niin<! 
diliicnll  to  describe,  tore  a  leaf  from  his  pocket-book,  wrote  a  few  hiirrieJ 
lines  to  Khn-ley,  rcjnesiing  him  to  allow  bis  wit'e  to  come  over  imme(ilalely 
with  Von  \'otieiii  erg,  and  when  they  hid  departed,  to  cad  upon  Cai)faiji 
Headby  and  exjiiain  the  cause  of  Ids  abseiu^e.  Tliis  note  lie  gave  to 
Catherine,  with  instructions  to  cross  in  the  boat  whiili  was  waiting  for 
Idmself,  and  to  retm-n  with  Mrs.  Elmsiey,  or  if  she  did  did  not  come,  with 
the  doctor. 

When  left  together,  beside  the  insensil)le  body  of  Mrs.  Ileywood,  tho 
K»vers  expeiienci-d  for  the  tir>t"tlme.  a  feeling  of  restraint,  for  In  the  learid 
of  both,  wei'e  pas>inir  ti. oughts  whicii  iiiither  seemed  de>irons  of  imparting. 
But,  Maria  lleywood.  gentle  as  she  was,  wa>  not  of  a  character  long  to 
endure  the  state  of  uncertainty  ninler  wldch  she  labored.  The  strange 
wild  jipprehen>ions  which  had  ari-eii,  she  knew  not  lu)W  or  why,  had  so 
preyeil  upon  her  (]iiier,  that  s'ispetise  became  in  ob'ralile,  and  at  length, 
adilressing  her  lover  in  a  voi(;e^  never  more  melanciioly  or  tonciiing  than  at 
that  iiioinent,  and  looking  at  hiuj  with  an  eX[)res5.1on  of  deep  sadness,  while 
the  large  tears  trickled  down  her  clieeks. 

"  Koiwiyne,  you  know — you  must  have  knowti  —  your  whole  conduct 
throughout  this  alfalr,  proves  yon  must  have  known  of  my  poor  father's 
death,  and  of  his  rude — almost  insultinir  bi.rlal  in  that  fatal  H[)ot.  How  ho 
oaiue  liiiber,  you  bobl  can  tell.     Oh!  Harry,  it  is  very  cruel  thus  tu  lii»v« 


n  vui):^!''i\irn.K  ;   (>•;,  to'  rAr.i,  of  rnrc.v^t. 


r: 


on 


repose*!  tlie  o«inti<lpiioo  of  tlie  entire  soul.  nii(]  then  tt)  liave  been  <lisappointeo. 
This  oj'iiel  discovery  will  be  I  ho  niwHiisi  of  (k"*trov'iig  my  peace  Iniever, 
liiiliss  you  jiive  '.he  expl'iiiMtinti  wiiich  iilohe  cuii  restnre  our  coiiti'leiice  in 
each  (tiht.-r — \<i  iioA  e;ui  1,  vvitli  these  glaring  iriithd  before  my  eyes,  expect 
that  yoii  will'r' 

''  Iii-uhiii^'  burial !  oh,  Maria,  I  feel  that  I  never  loved  you  more  than  n^w 
when  you  would  break  my  I  eart  with  tliis  unkin..iiess,"  lie  bent  his  in-ad 
apon  the  same  pillow,  upon  which  reclined  the  unconscious  head  of  iliu 
mother  of  the  wonum  wiiom  he  so  ardently  loved,  and  wept  tears  of  bitter- 
uesji  and  s  )rrow. 

"  I  cannot  stand  this,  Ronayne,  dear  Ronayne,  whatever  you  be— whatever 
-  you  may  liave  done,  I  love  you  with  all  the  ai-dor  of  the  most  devoted  soiill 
but,"  she  continued,  more  C(«nposedlv,  ''  forgive  me,  if  my  feelings  and  my 
judgment  are  at  issue.  One  question  I  must  «sk,  cost  what  it  may,  tor  1 
canin)t  longer  endure  this  agony  of  sii»*|pense — no,  for  your  Bake  I  cannot 
en(hiro  it.  How  is  it  that  you  have  always  made  a  secret — a  mysteiy  t,-vt?n 
to  me,  of  tlie  motive  of  your  abeence  on  that  fatal  night  succeeding  tlie 
ina>sacre  at  the  farm." 

'"Dear  Maria,  I  can  well  forgive  the  question  in  tlie  excitement  which 
must  have  been  produced  in  you  by  the  stariling  events  of  this  evening." 

''  Koiiayne,"'  slie  monrntiiHy  interrupted — ''your  sudden  interference  with 
the  dog — your  struggle  with  him — miy,  yonr  very  manner  of  sjieaking  now, 
convince  me  tliat  you  knew  my  lather  lay  buried  beneath  that  rose-tree,  la 
candor,  answer  me.     Yes  or  no." 

*'  And,  admitting  I  had  had  that  knowledge,  Maria — can  you  imagine  no 
good  reason  for  my  forbearing  all  allusion  to  the  subject?" 

'*  Yet,  why  conceal  the  fact  from  one  wiio  had  supposed  jou  could  liava 
no  concealment  from  her — and  then  again,  how  am  I  to  rec«incilo  the 
circumstance  of  my  poor  fiather  having  been  rep(<rt';?d  to  be  a  [irisoner — a 
reoort  wliich,  sanctioned  by  yourself,  left  me  not  utterly  hopeless — and  the 
tact  of  his  burial  here — eviilently  with  your  knowledge." 

'  Maria,"  returned  Ronayne,  im|»ressively,  and  witli  an  e-xpression  of  much 
pain  at  tlie  remark,  "as  I  liave  already  said,  I  can  make  every  allowance,  in 
recollection  of  the  painful  scene  of  which  I  have,  in  some  degree,  been  the 
cause,  but  is  it  generous — is  it  quite  appreciating  my  character  and  my 
feelings  towards  yourself,  to  doubt  that  I  had  intended  from  the  tir.-t,  and  at 
a  fitting  moment,  to  explain  every  thing  to  you?" 

Again  was  the  confidenee  of  tlie  generous  girl  established,  and  witli  almost 
passionate  warmth,  she  exclaimed.  '*  Oh  I  Ronayne,  forgive — forgi\e  me, 
but  this  melancholy — this  harrowing  oc(:'urreiice  has  made  mo  so  far  not 
myself — that  I  almost  hate  myself.  Ttil  me,  dear  Ronayne,  do  you  forgive 
me?" 

"  Yes,  from  the  bottom  of  my  soul,  do  I  forgive  you,  and  yet,  dearest, 
there  is  nothing  to  forgive,  for  how  coidd  it  be  otherwise,  than  that  your 
poor  and  sorely  trieil  heart  should  be  subjected  to  wild  imaginings  inexplicaltle 
to  yourself.  The  f)rdeal  to  whi(.'h  you  have  been  submitted,  is  a  severe  one, 
but  I  am  suie  your  oppressed  heart  will  be  greatly  lighteiieil  when  you  shall 
have  l<een  in  possession  of  the  truth  connected  with  this  most  iiielanclK»Iy 
affair  ~3  our  rejtard  for  me,  will  if  Dossible,  be  eveu  greater  than  before. 


l\ 


m 


iiAKi>«<.aAi;iii,f, 


or,  in::  kai.i.  c 


<i[:(A«<). 


vm 


Pardon  tliis  scciniiiir  vj.mty.  T  iri.'il<i.'  t'le  n'-soi'ticn  bt-cniisc  I  know  it  wiH 
li(>l  a  li:tle  cohsmIu  yon,  Kiider  tliis  tc-rril'lj  iiitlifliot/." 

it.  sv!i>  ii  striinj^'o  •-iL'':it,  lliat  of  I'lic-e  Iw.er.s,  liitlierto  >o  devoted  and  iiovr 
oi'ly  teinpor.wiiy  li;d:-iii.iil>tinir,  tn'.kin;.''  of  tin.-  ttiie  of  oiic;  parent  Wulo 
Ichnint;  over  lli«'  api'arfnt  dcalli-l)«d  of  I'lu  oiln-r. 

'' Jvonayiio,  dear  Uonjiyne,  I  am  '^ati-i'-d—fidly,  wholly  satMiod,  and  a? 
Von  ol-serVi',  tilt'  U'^siirancti  which  ynu  nave  now  uivi-n  me,  wilMonn  iriy 
ciiief  >ii!ij)ort;  under  iliis  double  .'ilHic  :on,''  and  she  pointed,  weepirij,'.  to 
!icr  nuttlier,  whube  scarcely  percei'tiblo  brLiiIdny  a'one  attested   that  she 

lived. 

"Maria/'  lie  ?aid  tenderly  and  <;rave  y,  as  he  took  her  hand  in  his,  ova 
the  inva.id — ''the  liour  of  your  promise  is  conio — th-j  fa  a-  ot  your  father  i 
known — would  that  it  had  been  less  abrnplly  rv  vealtd — and  were  othe 
inducenient  to  keep  it  wauting,  is  it  not  to  be  found  here?  iJut  at  ihig 
moment  I  will  ask  nothing  which  you  may  feel  rehictanre  in  graniing.  To- 
morrow we  will  speak  of  tliis  aixain — to-morrow  you  shall  know  how  niueh  I 
liftve  sought — how  much  I  iiave  risked — to  soften  the  pang  which  I  knevr 
Would,  soon  or  late  be  intlicted  on  her  \\hom  I  so  love." 

"Generous — kind — considerate  Konayne,  1  can  fully  nnderstrind  you,  yet, 
ah!  what  must  you  ihir.k  of  me,  who  could  for  a  moment  doubt  your  power 
to  ex[)lain  every  act  of  your  life,  however  ambiguous  in  n[)pcarance.  But 
what  is  that  paper  you  have  taken  from  your  pocket-book?'' 

"One  that  I  lia^e  long  designed  for  your  periis:d.  It  was  written  a  few 
days  after  the  events  at  the  furm,  and  I  1  Hve  since  then  traquenily  determined 
to  place  it  in  your  hands  in  order  that,  in  tlie  saci'edne.-s  of  solitude,  yoa 
might  indulge  in  the  bitter  tears  ii>  few  p  iges  will  wring  from  you;  bnt  too 
Koiiish — yes,  stlfish,  and  severely  am  I  piiuished  for  it — to  sutler  the  joy  of 
the  inxir  to  be  bniken  in  upon  by  sadiu-.-s,  I  iiave  hitherto  <lelayed  pnitiuf? 
you  in  possession  of  that  which,  if  only  comminiicated  a  day  earlier,  would 
ha /e  s{)ared  us  this  painful  scene.  lint  J  hear  footsteps  ap{)roach:iig.  They 
must  be  those  of  Mrs.  Ehnsley  and  the  doctor,  with  Catherine.  I5e  not 
surprised,  dearest,  if  1  leave  you  soon  after  they  enter,  for  I  have  something 
to  do  this  evening  which  will  require  my  presence  in  the  Fort.  Early  in  tha 
morning,  however,  I  shall  be  here." 

"  1  understand  well  what  <leniands  your  presence  elsewhere,"  she  returned 
with  a  look  of  deep  gratitude  ami  Iov3.  "  Oh  I  >Ivonayne,  whatever  may 
happen,"  and  the  tears  streamed  down  her  pale  face,  a-s  she  pointed  to  her 
mother — "  hear  me  declare  that  whatever  you  may  ask  of  me  one  month 
hence,  I  shall  not  consider  myself  justified  in  refnsi.,g." 

Scarcely  had  he  lime  to  impress  upon  ner  lips  his  deep  but  chasfiMied  sense 
of  happiness,  when  the  party  expected,  entered  the  room — Von  Voiteid)eig 
immediately  applying  himself  to  an  e.xan. '.nation  of  the  patient,  wliose  condi- 
tion, it  was  evident  from  his  unusally  grave  look,  he  conceived  to  be  '.ighly 
critical. 

Dreading  to  hear  his  opinion  pronounced  in  the  presence  of  his  betrothed, 
nnd  the  more  so,  because  he  hail  in  soi^e  degree  been  its  cau,-e,  the  young 
olli.'er,  after  having  warndy  shaken  hands  with  Mrs.  Elm.>ley,  whom  he 
tlianked  for  her  prompt  attention,  urged  her  to  do  all  in  her  power  to  soothe 
Maria,  to  whom,  at  parting,  he  also  offered  his  hand,  while  his  eye  '^4^ 
ehiquent  wiih  the  feeliu{£s  he  could  not  well  ODcnb'  express. 


lIAUDSt  UAUni.K  :    OK.    Tin;    I'AM     OK   CIIICACO. 


9'J 


,v  it  win 
.11(1  iiovr 

It    W'lilo 

,  !i!iil  as 
foiiM  loy 
ij)iiig.  to 
that  sh9 

hi»,  ov«i 

tutlior  19 
■re  other 
t  ill  I  ilia 
II  g.  To- 
V  miicli  I 
1  I  knew 

yon,  yet, 
ur  power 
cc.     But 

ten  n  tVw 
■termiiied 
tilde,  yoa 

but  loo 
le  joy  of 
1  pintitif? 
er,  would 
g.    They 

Be  not 
onit'tliiiig 
rly  ill  tha 

returned 
ever  may 
id  to  her 
le  month 

tied  sense 
oiteiibeig 
Dse  coiidi- 
be  Mglily 

;)t'trotlied, 
he  youiig 
wlioiii  he 
to  soothe 
;  eye  wm* 


fie  tirst  directed  bin  couse  toward-  the  rose  biisli,  fiiiff  Hi'pfoaoliod  IT  witli 
a  l»^erMii;  iihiio-t  siiiiiliir  tt»  wlial  woiWd  hiive  heoii  experiviieed  by  iiitn,  btfd 
Le  iteeii  tlir  ac"U;il  iiiuiderei*  of"  Mr.  Heywo..(l.  1.,mii|)  (iaroti  was  >iiiii'g 
crmiehcd  near  ilie  head  and  was  ••o  tar  reeovered  a.s  to  growl  ratlier  lit-rcvly 
at  liiiii,  as  lie  iippr.iachvd.  On  tieai'ing  the  voice  of  his  master,  not  in  aiig^r 
but  in  concinaiioti.  he  arose,  sliglitly  wairged  his  tail,  and  came  forward 
blowly  and  crunching,  as  if  in  dread  of  fiirtlier  puni-hment,  his  lip  npciiried. 
showing  all  his  ii|)per  teoih,  and  wiih  a  short,  quick  sneeze,  peculiar  to  hin 
iialf-wolf-hltjoded  race. 

Calling  gently  to  the  animal,  he  preceded  him  to  the  gate,  desiring  him 
to  wail  tliere  until  he  returned — an  injunction  evi,lenily  understood  i»y  the 
dog,  which,  crouching  down  in  his  accustomed  posture,  ventured  not  to 
move.  With  the  small  spud,  already  alluded  to,  ainl  tlien  near  the  rose-tree, 
he  [lut  back  in  small  quantities  the  displaced  earth,  until  the  gha-tly  face, 
indistinctly  seen  in  the  star-light,  was  again  wliolly  hidden  from  view.  Tiii* 
done,  he  approaclied  the  bank  of  the  river,  followed  by  the  dog,  and  gave  a 
elirill  wliistle,  which,  without  being  answered,  speedily  brought  over  the 
boat  in  wiiich  he  now  embarked  for  tlie  op[)0:-ito  shore. 

His  first  care  was  to  seek  Elinsley,  who,  as  otlicer  of  the  guard,  was  up 
accoutred  for  c'.ity,  and  was  now  looking  over  au  old  "  Wasliington  Int«Ui> 
fencfcr."  ^hat  iiad  l)d.'n  read  at  lea-t  a  dozen  times  before,  while  he  nmoked 
Ills  pipe  and  dipped  from  a  bowl  ot  whi<ky  punch,  wliicli  Von  Voitenberg 
had  just  finished  brewing,  when  so  suddenly  summoned  to  tlie  cottage. 

After  lionayne  had  detailed  to  his  fiiend  the  occutreiices  of  the  evening, 
and  communicated  iiis  views,  they  both  issued  forth  to  tlie  guard-room, 
where  Sergeant  Nixon  happened  to  be  upon  duty.  With  the  latiei*.  a  brief 
conversation  was  held  by  lionayne,  ending  with  an  injunction  for  iiim  to 
come  to  Lieutenant  Elmsley's  (juarters  and  announce  to  him  (the  farmer), 
when  certain  arrangements  which  had  been  agreed  upon,  were  completed. 

Returned  to  the  abode  of  the  laiter,  tlie  young  otlicer  re(ii)ired  no  very 
great  pressing  to  induct  him  to  join  his  superior  in  the  beverage,  to  which 
anxiety  of  mind  not  less  than  fatigue  of  body  had  so  much  disposeci  him, 
yet  of  which  both  pai-took  moderately.  While  so  employed,  and  awaiiing 
the  appearance  of  the  sergeant,  Roiiayne,  who  had  now  no  motive  for 
furtiier  mystery  or  concealment,  detailed  at  the  request  of  his  friend,  but  in 
much  more  >x^aoinct  terms  tnan  he  had  done  in  the  |>aper  he  had  handed  to 
Maria  H<iv'roud,  the  circumstances  connected  with  his  absence  from  the 
Fort,  OP  tb  ♦  f.igut  of  the  attack  upon  the  farm,  and  the  means  taken  by 
l>im  U'  *'itJO  ^ue  object  in  which  he  had  been  thwarted  by  Cantain  ilt'adiey. 

CHAPTER    XII. 

"  Toir  dam  Yankee,  stop  Tnjin  when  liim  go  wigwam,'  commencod 
Eonayne,  rising  at  the  same  time  and  imitating  the  action  of  one  unsteady 
from  intoxicati»»n.     "'Spose  tell  him  giibl)ernor  ?" 

*'Ahl  y<»u  horrid  wretcli — I  see  it  all  now,  yet  could  I  have  been  so 
imposed  upon?  You  thou  were  the  pretended  drunken  Indian  I  let  out  that 
night?  Upon  my  word,  Muster  Ronayne,  I  never  will  forgive  you  for  that 
kfick." 

*•  Yes  you  will,  old  fellow.  It  was  the  only  way  to  save  yon  from  a  scrapft 
but  I  confess  I  have  often  since  laughed  in  my  sleeve  at  the  recollection  of 
tlie  manner  in  which  I  deceived  i'tm." 


100 


HAunscijAr.j; 


<>i'. 


rpyr 


F\J. 


C.TtO  ..'H), 


"  nunf?  iiK*  If  yoi:  didn't  pl.'iy  y^nr  jcivt  to  uilni^ivitinii.  V';l  tln'  1  ofJi  of  tlii 
.lost  i-,  that  i)i;  ri'[)'irtiiiji  tin-  (•ii(Miiii>..iiict.'  to  lIi';i(!K'y,  on  ilic  t'iH"v  iiij^ 
li.">riiiMj/-.  lit'  s;,i,l  1  hud  .■icWmI  |H-i  I",  cly  J.'lit  ;  so  li.-id  \i>u  kiinsvii  this  u  Im-d 
y<iu  had  that  M'l'iu?  on  iho  parad'',  yo  i  ii-ii.!il  have  pKadi'd  his  i-Hiiriiuii, 
IloWfVer,  all  thai  is  ovt-r,     Nhw  shoii  ii  r  your  ad\  (.-iitiiiv.*' 

"  The  tall'  is  siiou  tolil,"  l)t•^^•lIl  lioiia'  no.  '"On  tiie  fVoiiini;  when  yo** 
und  Von  Voilonliorj;  wcro  so  busy,  the  lie  in  Co'icociin*:  liis  whisky-iMincli 
— the  otlior  in  cutliiii;  up  the  Vir;.'inia.  I  wa^  ,«ackiii<r  iny  luain  for  a  in«ans 
to  ac('.t)inplisli  my  desire  to  roaidi  the  Ini'iii,  whoie  1  iiad  a  ^trong  pre>(i,ti- 
iiifiit,  I'roin  the  lateness  of  liie  houi*,  wiihoiit  brinj^'i  itr  any  tidinjzs  of  tht-ni, 
the  li.sidng-party  vere,  with  Mr.  lleywuod  aii  1  Ids  jieople,  in  a  8taie  nf 
t-iego,  and  1  at  length  decided  on  what  suvmed  to  ine  to  be  the  only  available 

I  dan.  I  was  riot  sorry  to  see  you  leavt  after  taking  yonr  second  glass,  for  I 
Lnew  that  I  should  have  little  ditiiciilty  in  sewing  up  the  doctor,  u  ho-o 
tumbler  I  rejteatedly  tilled,  and  made  niiii  drink  oft"  after  sundry  toasr-^, 
while  he  did  not  perceive— or  was  b^\  no  means  scrry  if  he  did — tliat  i 
merely  sijiped  from  my  own.  When  1  i  nought  he  had  swallowed  enoiigli  to 
l)rev»iit  him  tVom  intert'ei-ing  with  my  ;"ojoet,  I  bade  biin  gond  tii;:lit  ai:<l 
ivft  him,  knowing  wt-ll  that  in  less  than  ten  minutes  he  would  be  asle>p. 
]iist<.  ad,  however,  of  g.»ing  to  i)i'd,  I  hast  iiied  at  once  to  preliminaries,  having 
lirst  got  rid  of  my  servant  whom  I  did  loc  wish  to  implieafe,  by  ma'  ing 
him  acquainted  witii  my  intended  absei;<'e.  But  tell  jie,  did  you  examine 
inv  room  at  all  the  next  day  V 

'"  I  <lid." 

"And  found  nothing  missing?" 

"Notliing.  1  seouU'd  every  where,  and  found  only  yourself  wanting — 
Ciie  bed  unriuiipled,  and  eve-ry  thing  in  ,)orfocr  bachelor  order." 

'*  And  that  Ualher  dress,  my  dear  tVIiow,  in  which  I  once  paid  a  visit  to 
the  camp  of  Winncbog,  from  whose  SdCnw,  indeed,  1  had  bought  it.  You 
Know  It  generally  banL;s  against  the  wal.  at  the  toot  of  niy  bed." 

"Ah!  now  I  ro'^oi'ieiit,  that  was  not  there  certainly,  nlibongh  I  did  not 
notice  its  absence  then — so  thvMi,  that  vv.is  the  dress  you  went  out  in,  and  I 
BUch  a  goo>e  as  not  to  remark  it." 

"Because  you  know  that  J  iiad  had  the  ])recantion  to  tliiow  a  blaid<et 
over  it  ir  the  most  approved  Potiowauaniie  style,  while  my  featured  were 
colored  with  gambouge  and  Indian  ink." 

"  Well,  say  no  more  about  that — 1  ajn  ashamed  to  have  been  so  taken  iw 
by  a  Johnny  Raw.  We  will  now  suppOL-e  you  kicked  out  of  the  Fort.  Did 
I  not  kick  you  out,"  he  added  humorondy,  '^  luid  say,  begone,  you  drunken 
dog,  and  never  show  your  ugly  face  here  again  1" 

"  On  the  contrary,"  returned  his  junior  in  the  satne  mocking  strain,  "yon 
were  but  too  glad  glad  to  be  civil  when  1  threatened  you  with  the  '  gub 
Wrnor  T  " 

"  Once  out  of  the  Fort,"  he  gravely  continued,  "my  course  was  ]d:iln.  1 
mnicdi  iiely  went  to  tiio  wigwam  of  Wuaiebea,  whom  I  found  seated,  with 
ht»  t»6a4liriOSt  in  lUe  e  nuci-i  >.  :in  eXp  .  it^  iii'e.  a.ul  s.imkiiig  hi.s  list  piPfl 
prf'vioitfl  to  wrapping  iiiinsef  up  for  tli  ••  idirht  in  his  bl.inket.  You  u.ay 
ini.tgine  hi-*  surprise,  when,  al'ter  some  1  ;  ")e  didiciilfy,  he  r. 'cognized  in  that 
garb,  atid  at  that  hour,  particularly  afiei'  the  events  of  the  day,  with  which 
he  bad  been  tnade  acquainted  bv  Mr.  Frazer,  before  the  latter,  witli  hi^ 


4- 


irAUDSCKAl'.in.K  •     1)11,    Till',    KAM.   OK    C'lIU'VOi'. 


101 


not 
11(1  I 


yon 

;ub 

.     1 

with 
pip« 
nay 
that 
lich 


fiinlly.  tooV  refiijre  iti  tiio  l«<>rr.  htin.  rriii.'  to  trie  ni.'iiinoc,  roi^orve  or  m« 
nice,  lie  ('  iiice.'ileil  as  iii'ic  ;i«  p"  'ible  uliat  \v;is  |i;i-~inL,'  in  lii-i  iniiiil,  nnj 
iiijide  ino  sit  liy  lii.s  >i(lc.  ' 'ir  \vli(  ii.  1  Imve  nniitted  to  >;iy,  wtH  iiti  extiviiiHlv 
liaiidsoiiie  young  Iiniiiiii.  a;;. mi  \\.-  [irusciite*!  to  mo  :ts  liis  mod,- and  then  nade 
lue  tell  iiitii  llie  oliject  ot'  my  vis  ; 

*' (J t' course  I  knew  eii"  ,^'li  ot  [i  dian  etiquette  to  be  sati>fi«'d  tli.'it  I  ulioula 
p.iiii  by  not  attomptii:;;  ti>  liuny  matters,  and  I  iiccordiii'.dy  su!)|)i'e*sed  my 
own  iinpjitieiice  vvhile  taking;  a  .ew  wliitt's  tVoiii  the  pipo  lie  courteously 
olFered  to  me.  Wmnelie^'  ilun  re-eived  it  buck,  and  while  lie  sat  wiili  hiii 
eyes  fixed  intently  on  the  !'ii-'\  pi. fed  away  in  au  attitude  of  profouiid  atten- 
tion whi(;li  encouraged  me  t.i  prin-oed. 

"  Wlieii  lie  had  heard  all  I  ha(  to  ^ay  in  regard  to  the  fears  I  entertained 
fur  the  ahseiit  party — I'ur  I  did  i  ot  confine  my  profession  of  interest  to  one 
— iny  vain  application  to  tlio  coiuMandant,  and  my  stmng  reliance  upon  him  to 
send  a  partly  of  his  young  nien  \vi:li  nie  to  the  farm,  his  eye  suddenly  kindled 
— his  countenance  assumed  a  iiiom^  animated  expression,  and  removing  the 
pipe  from  tiis  lips,  and  putting  forth  a  more  than  usual  volume  of  amoke,  lie 
cordially  shook  my  hands,  sayii;g  something  in  Indian  to  his  son,  who 
immediately  sprang  to  his  feet,  am:  disappeared  from  the  tent. 

"  After  H  lapse  of  time  which  neenied  to  me  as  an  age,  the  youtli  re-ap- 
peared with  a  dozeii  young  wnuiors,  all  armed  and  decked  in  their  war 
paint.  They  remained  grouped  r>)und  the  entrance  for  a  few  minutes,  while 
Waunangee  changed  his  own  drc-s,  and  Winiieheg  provided  me  with  a  rifie 
tomahawk  and  tscalping-kniie.  Thus  accoutred  1  took  the  lead  with  the 
former,  and  after  cautiously  creeping  through  the  encampment,  passed  along 
the  skirr  of  tiie  wood  that  almo.  t  overhung  the  river.  We  moved  off  at  a 
quick  walk,  but  soon  our  pace  increased  to  a  half-run,  so  anxit)U3  were  we  all 
to  get  to  the  farm. 

*'  We  bad  not  proceeded  more  than  half-way  when  we  saw  a  small  boat, 
wbicii  I  immediately  ilistinguished  as  that  belonging  to  the  lishing-party, 
slowly  descending  the  river.  The  Indians  simultaneously,  and  as  if  governed 
by  one  common  instinct,  dropped  :lat  on  the  ground,  as  I  supposed  to  remain 
unseen  until  the  boat  sh'ould  coir.e  opposite  to  them,  while  1,  uncertain  by 
whom  it  was  occui»ied,  and  an.xious  to  ascertain,  after  whispering  a  few 
words  to  Waunangee.  moved  cautiously  in  a<lvaiice  along  the  shore.  When 
I  had  crept  up  about  fifty  yards.  I  could  distinctly  see  that  it  was  one  of 
our  men,  and  I  immediately  ha'ied  to  know  who  he  was,  and  where  the 
remainder  of  the  party  were. 

''Scarcely  had  he  answered  'Collins,'  and  commence<l  a  few  words  of 
explanation  of  the  canse  of  his  leing  there  and  alone,  when  the  forms  of 
two  Indians,  which  I  fancied  I  had  before  detected  creeping  ahmg  the  shore, 
regulating  their  stealthy  progress  by  that  of  the  boat,  started  into  full  height, 
and  silently  bounde<l  towards  nu- — one  a  little  in  advance  of  the  other.  The 
moment  was  critical.  Tiiey  were  not  twenty  jiaces  from  me,  and  I  have 
often  since  wondered  at  the  pre  tnce  of  mind  I  preserveil.  It  occiu'red  to 
me  tliat  they  would  iM>t  commit  the  impnidence  of  u-ing  lire-arms  so  neat 
the  Fort,  and  that  -ive,  o  !  \M«iii,i  be  lesoi-ied  !■>  by  tirem  lid-  -n.'gi'-ii'd 
uiv  owi.  .'.our.-e.  !  h)(>  \  i  i:  my  litb'  up<in  ibe  ln-ach  in  ord'^r  iliat  C"Ilins, 
who  waa  now  pulliii::  lor  the  ■'!i«>ri',  migiii  seize  aihl  ns.-  ii  a-  ocuasiun 
BbouM  n-Hjuire,  I  gra>iied    the  tcaiping-knife   in   my  Icii  liaii.i,  and  w'l^   luy 


102 


HAIlDHCUAUnLE  ;    OK,    THE   FAM.   C)P   CUJCXGO. 


v■T^ 


'I 


toinuniiwK  ..  iny  iigJit,  did  not  wait  f>r  the  ft'tacli,  Imt  nisTied  iifon  tli« 
foremost  Indian,  toi-  I  knew  tliat  my  only  clianoe  of  « no>ce»8  lay  in  tlie  killing 
or  di^ul)^nl^  of  orH>  bctbrti  his  coinrude  ('4)ul(l  <;otne  u.p.  At  toe  ipiine  tiin«, 
bolli  to  apprise  VVuniuuigeo  of  my  position,  and  to  daunt  my  advui-siiries,  | 
■•♦♦jMW'd  one  'if  f)'i-H<.  'Tcm^i:doiu  ytUn,  yon  know  I  so  w«>ll  cjin  iriiiuite.  !«iid 
receiving  the  blow  ot  liis  toiKohawk  u|ion  my  ov\n,  tlirown  up  in  trii« 
rail itary  guard,  plunged  my  knife  into  hi^  body  'vitli  such  suddenuesn  ftod 
force,  ihat  on  fxaininint;  it  afterwards,  I  found  that  at  least  half  an  inch  oi 
the  tapering  handle  had  followed  th>)  blade.  The  savage  fell  dead  without 
uttering  a  gioan,  a  sight  which,  instead  of  checking  tiie  advance  of  his 
companion,  ratiier  urged  him  to  revenge  his  fail.  He  had  now  come  up 
with  me,  brandishing  ids  tomaliawk,  when  I  put  myself  again  on  my  guard, 
pur[K)si!ig  to  use  my  knife  as  I  had  done  befuro,  but  at  the  very  moment 
when  the  descent  of  his  weapon  was  expected  by  me,  he  was  suddenly 
seized  from  behind,  raised  from  his  feet,  and  tlirown  upon  ihe  ground.  'Miis 
was  tlie  act  of  Collins,  who  had  gained  the  shore  just  after  the  tirst  Indian 
fell,  and  liad  lit>wn  to  niy  a>^sistanco. 

"At  the  same  niouKiit,  \Vaun;in{.'ee.  who,  with  Ids  warriors  liad  started  up 
on  hearing  iny  loud  yell  of  detiance,  ca.Me  (lllic^^ly  'o  ihe  spot,  and  they  were 
not  a  liitle  astounded  to  see  an  Imiian,  whom  iIkv  instantly  jU'ononnced  to 
be  a  Winnebago,  lying  moiionie-s  at  my  ftct.,  nor  was  ilieir  re-pect  tor  me 
at  all  lessened,  when  on  hainlinj,'  my  scaiping-knife  from  one  to  tlie  other, 
they  perceived  what  a  prolicieuL  1  was  in  the  use  oi"  tlieir  own  favorite 
Weapon. 

"Of  course  I  was  not  silly  enough  to  detract  from  mv  own  gK  vy,  by 
admitting  that  it  was  as  much  the  result  of  accident  as  of  design.  Tuiy 
made  signs  for  me  to  scalp  him,  but  having  no  particular  desire  to  pos>es8 
this  trophy  of  my  8ucces>ful  hand  to  hand  encounter,  one  of  the  young  nan 
asked  me  to  waive  my  rigiit  in  his  favor.  This  1  did,  and  the  scalp  ot  tiie 
Winnebago  was  soon  dangling  from  his  waist.  The  other  spods  1  did  not 
object  to,  and  his  rifle,  it)mahawk,  and  knife  are  now  in  Winnebago's  tent, 
until  there  oilers  a  favorable  opportunity  of  bringing  them  to  my  quariers. 
But  to  proceed. 

"So  much  time  had  been  passed  in  the  examinatiou  of  the  body  of  the 
Blain  Winnebago,  that  his  comrade  had  found  amj)la  time  to  esca|(e.  The 
Pottowatlamies  had  not  seen  him,  and  Collins,  after  having  temporarily 
disabled  him,  had  run  up  to  afford  me  further  assistance,  on  seeing  advancing 
in  the  rear,  those  whom  he  took  to  be  of  the  same  hostile  party.  Thur-  ieit 
unwatched,  the  savage  had  managed  to  creep  away  into  the\»-  d,  and  when 
attention  was  at  length  drawn  to  him,  he  was  not  to  be  seen. 

"  When  Collins  had  explained  the  position  of  the  party  at  the  farm,  whose 
danger,  on  Ihiding  himself  of  no  service  there,  he  was  then  on  his  way  to 
repoit,  I  proposed  to  Waunangee  that  ha'f  of  his  warriors  should  ascend  by 
land,  while  the  remainder  with  him>elf,  accompanied  me  in  the  boat.  We 
accordingly  separated,  and  made  what  haste  we  could  to  our  desiinatiou — 
the  party  on  shore  regulating  their  progress  by  that  of  the  boat.  During 
the  descent  my  anxiety  was  very  great,  for  my  whole  soul  was  bent  upon 
the  attainment  of  one  object — that  of  restoring  Mr.  Heywood  unharmed  to 
his  family.    But  the  absence  of  all  souud  indicating  conflict  was  by  ur 


i 


nARDSniABBLE  ,    OU,   THE  FALL  OF   CniCAOO. 


103 


moanfl  fuvorable,  and  I  Imd  alnndy  l)e;jun  to  fi-i.r  t!iat  tlie  silence  MliJch 
prevaileti,  \va>  but  llie  re-'il'  of  •  icfory  on  tlio  pirtl  of  the  iiostilo  band  who 
had  dipartt'd,  when  sii''(',.'  U  ih.i  Iniid,  fiL-rcc  veil  ol'  di-aiUKiiiitiiK'Hl  which 
biir>t  i'roiii  ilit;i»i,  f.8  I  iijive  since  undcrsiuud,  when  a  hiddor  l-y  whu;ii  tJuy 
Htlfiri[)tod  to  enter  was  llnv'un  t:'  -ni  tlie  rout'  hy  >'ixon,  rang  eiK;imra^'in;:ly 
upon  my  our,  and  urgi.'(l  nir  to  iinTfusfd  exertion,  Our  pio^'res-^,  lioucvtr, 
was  by  no  nictins  iiroihii  tiohi'd  u>  my  unxifty,  for  soitichuw  or  other,  only 
vwo  oars  \\ere  in  the  Ijoat,  and,  us  the  lndian>  did  not  inneh  caro  or  iinosv 
how  to  pull  in  time,  tlie  ta-l<  do\.)lved  wholly  upon  Collins  anil  my^vlt'.  At 
length,  just  !is  the  day  w ,  >  h.-ui'ining  to  dawn,  we  readied  the  tanii-iiouse, 
about  ;i  iiundrc'd  yard>  lnyiMid  w  i.ch  wo  i)iit  in  ami  laiu'.ed,  luaUinL,'  a  delour 
by  the  barn,  so  as  to  nic'ct  the  rc-maindei-  of  our  little  force  in  the  rear, 
and  tiius  to  place  tlie  enemy,  u  actua-v  surrounding  the  house,  between 
two  tire>. 

''Afic,  waiting,  liowevcr,  some  little  time,  and  finding  every  tliiiig  quiet, 
mv  ;iiii  i.iicii  ions  iiMM-.-Mvod,  for,  although  not  the  aitfii  of  u  Winut-bngo 
could  be  seen,  so  profound  was  the  stillner.s  within,  iIkii  1  lifs^au  to  thwiA 
the  whole  of  the  party  had  been  either  captuie<l  or  murdered.  Suddeidy, 
however,  while  hesitating  as  to  tre  course  to  be  pursued — tor  I  feared  that 
if  tlie  party  were  all  rigiii,  and  tlie  enemy  departed,  thcv  might,  fire  Ufion  us 
as  We  approaeheil — 1  .saw  a  man  in  American  undress  uiil'orin,  whom  I  had 
no  tlitlif.ulty  in  recogni/jng  as  Corporal  Nixon,  issue  Iro  the  back  of  the 
house  with  a  basket  in  his  hands,  juid  turning  the  corne-  v.ith  an  appearance 
of  nuich  caution,  m.'ike  iia.-^tily  for  the  river.  Din  f  ing  \V;mnan".\,  wlii)se 
two  bands  hud  now  joined,  and  '\erc  then  lying  eiosely  coit  nled  in  the 
barn,  to  en*  v  K  e  house  aa  cautiou.'^ly  and  noiselosly  as  pM.sd)]o,  I  hastened 
atter  Nixon,  from  whom,  after  recovering  from  ids  'us'  ri-ij;ht  at  tiiuling 
liimsv .:  unarmed,  and  in  the  power  of  one  whom  iio  n.iurally  took  for  one 
of  his  recent  assailants,  I  received  a  brief  account  of  all  t'nt  had  occurred. 
On  entering  the  house  witli  hi !ii,  shortly  afterwards,  what  a  contrast  was 
present — on  tlie  one  hand  the  ludicrous — the  horril)ie  on  the  otlier. 

'•  Close  within  the  d(M»i-wav  lay  the  dead  bodv  of  Mr,  Ilevwood— — " 

"  Tiie  dead  body  of  Mr.  Heywood  I"  exclaimed  Elmsley,  starting  from  hit 
chair  in  almost  dismay  at  the  intelligence.  *' How  comes  it,  Ronayne,  that 
you  have  never  spoken  of  this  before?" 

"  No  interruption,  Elmsley — hear  me  to  the  clo.se— close  within  tlie  door- 
way, I  repeat,  lay  the  dead  body  of  Mr.  Heywood — his  face  much  disfigured 
— and  his  large  frame  almost  rigid  in  a  pool  of  clotted  blood.  Imagine  wliat 
a  siyht  this  was  to  me,  whose  sole  object  and  hope  it  had  been  to  restore  the 
fatlier  in  safety  to  the  daughter,  ul. hough  at  intervals  dining  the  route,  I  bad 
more  than  once  dreaded  sofuetlnng  of  the  -ort.  Stupelied  at  the  spectacle, 
I  felt  my  heart  to  sicken,  as  the  i  lea  of  the  giief  by  wiiich  Maria  would  bo 
overwhelmed  when  this  sad  laie  should  be  revealed  to  her,  rir~e  to  my 
imagination.  But  even  then  my  presence  of  mind  did  not  desert  me,  and  I 
already  determined  on  what  was  to  be  done.  In  some  degree  con-oled  by 
this,  I  rai-ed  my  glcncr  from  the  iiody  to  o!l^-erve  what  I'lirtticr  aii'ociiy  had 
been  committed.  'i"i.:-'e  "V  i'o;i;-  Indians  \\  i  le  grouped  mouikI,  evitlenily 
regarding  the  co:  pse  witii  deep  'iiteresr,  tor  .Mr.  Heywood  li.id  oiteii  hunted 
with  t;  em,  and  givi-n  il.em  refreshments  wi.en  sioppm:.'  to  iv-t  .'it  his  pla(!0, 
while  on  their  way  to  the  Fort  laden    woii   g^imc.     Kuriii.'r  on    tlie  ijreu* 


a 


u 


i  !l 


104 


HARDBCRASBLE  ;    OR,   THB  FALL  OV  CHICAGO. 


n 


bofly  of  "Waunangee'g  people  were  standing  leaning  on  tlie!r  rifles,  and 
enjoying  the  niistuke  of  three  of  our  fellows,  who  natnrally  taking  th^in, 
from  the  great  resembluiioe  of  dres5>,  to  be  tlieir  enemies  who  had  obtained 
ail  entrance,  were  holding  aloft,  in  an  attitude  of  defiance —one  a  huge  pokef 
tlirust  tlirougli  the  carcass  of  an  enormous  bird,  and  two  others  a  blacliened 
leg  and  wing,  evidently  belonging  to  tie  sime  animal,  whicli  they  ever  and 
anon  brandi-lied  over  their  heads,  while  tlioir  eyes  were  rivetted  on  the 
dusky  forms  before  them.  The  wooden  pariition  sustained  their  muskets, 
frcni  wliicli  tiie  interposing  Indians  had  cut  them  otf,  and  against  the  front 
door  of  the  liouse,  wiiicii  was  closed  and  barred,  leaned  the  only  armed  mua 
of  the  party,  de[)rived,  however,  of  all  power  of  action." 

"  Wliat  a  scene  for  some  American  Hogarth  !"  inte'*"upted  the  lieutenant, 
"and  how  graphically  you  have  described  it.  I  can  see  the  picture  before 
me  now." 

*'  I  confess,"  answered  Konayne,  "  I  could  not  even,  amid  all  my  own 
painful  fi'eling/,  suppress  a  smile  at  its  extreme  atisurdity,  for  the  appearance 
of  tliree  me  i  seeking  to  defend  themselves  from  what  they  believed  to  be 
fierce  and  bloo(l-thiis;y  ODemies,  with  the  burnt  c  ircass  and  limbs  of  an  old 
turkey-cock,  was  such  a  burlexpie  on  the  i-hivalioiw,  that,  knowing  as  I  did 
liow  little  their  supposed  en. my  \v;i«^  to  be  dj-raded.  i  could  not  suppress 
tiioughts  which,  wiiile  they  f  u'Cvd  tiieni-ehes  upon  nie,  I  was  ;inu'ry  at 
alh>wing  myself  to  entert.iin.  To  uiiders  and  the  scene  tully,  you  must  have 
looked  on  it  you-selt'.  Had  I  recuuuted  Lliis  to  you  yestenlay,  or  even  ii»id 
morning.  I  couUl  have  tilled  up  the  picture  more  grotesquely,  and  yet  not  !«*<<• 
truly,     iii.l  now  i  have  toj)  yro.it  a  weiglit  ol.  my  spirits  to  give  mi>re  thua 

ft  silP'iI'^  sketch 

"At  the  announcement  of  my  name  and  purpose,  the  statue  at  tiie  doo 
became  suddeidy  disenchaiited — the  legs  and  wings  fell  -a  man  dropped 
}iglitly  from  the  loft,  musket  in  liand,  and  Cass  only,  with  his  traze  intently 
fixed  on  the  mocking  savages  bet'ore  him,  of  whom  he  to<ik  me  indeed  to  be 
one,  continued  his  defensive  attitude  with  the  poker,  nor  was  it  until  1  had 
atlvanced  and  taken  his  weapon  Irom  him,  amid  the  Icud  lang  iter  ol  tlie 
young  Indians,  that  he  finally  came  to  his  senses.  And  yet,  alter  all,  pitor 
devil,  his  distrust  was  but  natural. 

"  No  time  was  to  be  lost.  While  some  of  the  men  were,  according  to  my 
instructions,  wrapping  in  a  blanket  the  body  of  Mr.  lleywood,  afier  removing 
from  it  what  blood  they  could,  and  the  otiiers  bore  to  the  boar  the  untor- 
tunate  Le  Noir,  whom  I  had  not  at  first  distinL'uished,  so  completely  had  he 
been  covered  over  by  his  dog  and  walnut  blossoms,  I  took  the  corpor.d 
aside,  and  explained  to  him  how  important  it  was  that  notliing  shoidd  be 
known  at  the  Fort  of  the  fate  of  Mr.  lleywood.  On  his  asking  what  he 
should  say  if  questioned,  I  desired  him  (with  some  hesitation,  I  con  less,  for  I 
knew  I  was  setting  a  bad  example  to  the  men,  wliicii  oidy  the  peculiar 
circumstances  of  the  case  could  jusiify),  to  give  an  evasive  answer,  antl 
say  that  the  Indians  had  carried  him  olF  with  tliem,  which  indeed  would  he 
the  fact,  as  I  intended  him  to  be  borne  away  by  the  party  I  iiad  brought, 
I  told  him,  moreover,  that  at  a  fitting  opportunity,  I  would  explain 
every  thing  to  Captain  Ueadley,  and  take  all  the  responsibility  upua 
myself. 


! 


HARDSCRABBLK  ;    OH,    THE   FALL  OF   CUICAflO. 


10.5 


•;il 


n 


"On  Ill's  promptly  saying  tlifit  lie  would,  I  added  tliat  the  men  of  Ida 
party  slioukl  be  iiiiide  aciiu.iiiited  with  my  wish,  and  askt-d  if  I  iiiij,'lit  depend 
ui»(»n  tlieir  secrecy.  He  re|)lied  that  there  was  not  a  man  among  ttiem  who 
did  not  so  love  Miss  Heywood,  as  to  run  the  risk  of  any  punishment,  railier 
than  utter  one  word  iliat  could  be  the  means  of  giving  lier  pain,  and 
tliut  while  on  t!ie  way  down  he  would  take  care  to  warn  them. 

"  Elmsley,  I  was  touched  at  this — almos.  to  tears — for  it  was  a  source  of 
proud  yet  tender  pleasure  to  me — mucli  more  so  than  I  can  express — lo 
kni)W  that  Maria  was  so  great  a  favorite  with  these  rude-liearted  felhiws. 
Assured  iliat  t  very  thing  was  right,  I  told  tlie  corporal  to  embark  iiis  men 
immediately,  and  pull  for  tiie  Fort,  while  I,  with  Waimangee  and  Ids  Indians 
proceeded  by  land  with  the  body  of  Mr.  Heywood. 

,  "'Don't  you  tldnk,  sir,'  sai<l  the  corjM)ral,  hesitatingly,  as  he  prejuircd  to 
execute  my  orders — '  don't  you  tliink  it  would  be  well  for  the  ladies' sake 
tliat  they  sliould  not  be  reminded  of  the  name  of  tiiis  place,  more  than  can 
be  helped  ?' 

"  '  Undoubtedly,  Nixon,  but  what  do  yon  mean?' 

"'  Why,  sir,  I  mean  that  as  poor  Mr.  Heywood  never  can  be  hero  again, 
it  would  lie  i'etter  n<aiiing  shouUl  bo  left  to  remind  them  of  the  bloody 
doirig<  of  yesterday.' 

"  '  And  v\liat  « tlier  name  would  you  give  it?'  I  asked. 

"  Mt  it  was  \cf'\  to  me,  Mr.  Ilonayne,'  replied  the  cori)oral ;  'I  would  cal! 
il  HARDSOAnn;  E,  on  account  of  the  hard  struggle  the  I'ellows  must  have  had 
villi  Mr  Hey v\ cod,  jtnlgiMg  from  his  wounds  and  his  broken  ri lie,  before 
they  mastered  him.' 

"'Then,  Ha;:iihci:a]«hi,k  be  it,' I  8ai<l,  'not  that  I  can  really  see  it  will 
make  much  dithr.  lu-e  in  callir.g  tlie  tidiig  to  mind,  yet  it  would  .scarcely  be 
tair  to  deny  to  vou,  who  have  so  bravely  defended  the  place,  the  privilege 
of  giving  ii  a  new  name,  it  the  old  one  is  to  be  abandoned.' 

'• '  Tiiank  you.  sir,'  reauned  Nixon,  'but  if  you  hadn't  come  to  our 
assistance,  I  <lon*t  know  what  the  upshot  might  have  been,  I  susp.  ct  thai 
fellow  whose  comrade  you  killed,  sent  them  oil'  sooner  than  they  intended.' 

"  *  No  more  of  rhar,  Nixon — and  now  do  you  remember  what  you  are  tu 
•ay  when  you  get  back  to  the  Fort?' 

"  '  1  do,  -.ir,  and  t-very  man  shall  he  told  to  say  as  I  do — but  about  the  new 
name,  Mr.  lionayne,'  he  pursued,  returning,  after  he  had  gone  a  few  jiaces, 
*do  you  think,  sir,  Mrs.  Heywood  will  consent  to  it?' 

"'My  good  fellow,'  I  answered,  '  recoiie^t  inai  Mr-i.  Heywood  muvl  know 
hothing  about  il — at  least  for  the  prestiii.  I  will  r.e!tle  all  that  later,  in 
the  mean  timi-.  as  you  have  called  ii  H Ai:i>^«(M{Aitai.K.  so  lei  it  remain.' 

"  And  11  AiM>»fi;Aiim.K  thai  M-eiie  of  biood  is  called  'o  this  h(»ur. 

*'  1  hail  at  tirsi  apprehended,"  pursued  Koi.ayiie,  "that  the  Indians  would 
eriiute  disinclm  ilion  to  carry  the  body  so  long  a  distance,  or  even  at  all,  but 
on  W'aunaiigeo  explaining  my  desire,  they  all  to  my  sur|n-i-e,  expressed  even 
eagerne>s  to  meet  my  wishes,  for,  as  he  assured  me,  the  yiuing  men  looked 
upon  me  as  a  great  warrior  who  had  achieved  a  deed  of  heroism  ttiat  might 
procure  the  distinction  of  a  chief,  and  eniiiiing  me  lo  their  services  in  alt 
things. 

"  I  certainly  tlM)'ight  my  honors cheajily  enoii<:li  purchased;  however  I  wa» 
but.  Lou  glad  to  appropriate  to  my  ae  It  lliu  reaped  aid   i£ooU-will   which   tha 


10« 


HARDSCnAnnT.K  ;    OR,   THE   FALL  OF  CniCAQO. 


I 


killing'  of  tho  ■W!aiic'T)a,!jro  liad  enfailcl — and  in;it,ters  were  soon  nrranf^e<r, 

**  The  body  having  l»ei'n  removed  outside,  and  the  doors  secuied  as  well 
as,  under  tho  circiinistiinces,  conltl  ho  done,  one  of  the  waniMfs  cut  from  a 
tree  in  tiie  adjacent  wood,  a  semi-cirenlaf  piece  of  tough  and  rii-xihle  bark, 
about  six  feet  in  lengtli,  and  in  the  hollow  oH  this,  the  nnirdered  faliher  uf 
Maria  Ileywood,  ah'eadyTswatlied  tiglitly  in  a  blanket,  was  placed.  A  l>nf» 
polo  was  tiien  passed  iln-ough  tiie  equi-distant  loops  of  cord  that  encircled 
tlie  whole,  and  two  of  the  Indians  having,  with  the  assistance  of  their 
companions,  raised  it  upon  their  shoulders,  it  was  thus  borne — the  paities 
being  relieved  at  intervals — over  the  two  long  miles  of  road  that  led  to  tlie 
skirt  of  I  he  woods  near  the  encanipment.  Here  tho  body  of  Indiana 
stopped,  while  Waunangee  and  myself  repaired  to  the  tent  of  his  father, 
who  no  sooner  had  heard  detailed  by  his  son  the  account  of  my  Winnebago 
killing  practice  of  the  preceding  evening,  than  ho  overwhelmed  me  with 
cougramlutions,  and  looked  proudly  on  the  knife,  still  stained  with  a  spot  or 
two  of  blood,  which  I  returned  to  him,  and  which  he  restored  to  its  usual 
restinu'-placo  on  his  idp. 

"  Perceiving  that  Winnebeg  was,  like  his  young  men,  ready  to  do  any 
thing  for  me.  I  exiilained  to  him  my  desire  to  convey  the  body  of  Mr. 
Ileywoiid  across  the  river,  and  bury  him  secretly  in  his  own  grounds,  but 
th;it  it  was  necessary,  in  tu'der  to  do  this  etiectually,  that  he  and  his  son 
should  go  with  nic,  and  by  some  circuitous  route.  Entering  at  once  into 
my  views,  ho  said  he  wiuild  show  me  a  place  where  we  could  cross  without 
being  seen  either  fr(»m  tho  Fort  or  fiom  his  own  encampment,  and  then  led 
the  way  back  to  the  wood  wliero  the  party  were  still  waiting. 

''  The  rest  is  soon  told.  Dismissing  the  3'onng  tnen  into  the  encampment. 
Winnebeg,  with  his  s«in,  bore  the  body  within  the  skirt  of  the  wood,  until 
we  reached  a  bend  of  the  river  hidden  from  observation,  where  a  canoa 
with  [»addies  was  drawn  up  on  the  beach.  There  we  crossed,  and  going 
round  to  tlie  rear  of  t!ie  cnitage,  entered  the  jrarden,  and  proceeded  to  the 
upper  I'ud,  where  at  the  sumiiier  hou-e,  near  a  favorite  rose-tree  of  Maria's, 
1  dug  with  my  own  hands  a  hasty  grave,  in  which  Winnebeg  and  Waunangee 
placed  the  body — its  oidy  c -ttin  being  the  bark  that  was  swathed  around  it. 
Of  course  1  always  intended  to  disinter  it  at  some  future,  but  not  distaut 
pori(»d,  and  be^tuw  upon  it  the  usual  rites  of  burial. 

''  This  painful  task  arc»)mpli8hed,  and  tho  soil  having  been  carefully 
rejdaced,  so  as  to  leave  no  inecpi  ility  of  surface,  I  accompanied  my  friends 
bark  by  the  same  route,  ami  about  nine  o'clock  left  the  Pottowattamie 
encampment  with  them  and  a  few  other  warriors  of  the  tribe  for  the  Fort, 
which  in  the  crowd  I  entered  without  dltiiculty  or  creating  suspicion. 
W, itching  my  opiiortunity,  1  stole  to  the  rear  of  my  bed-room — opened  and 
entered  the  window — changed  my  dress,  and  made  my  api)earance  ou 
parade  as  you  saw." 

""  All  is  ready,  sir,"  said  Sergeant  Nixon,  entering  just  as  he  had  concluded. 
Mid  before  Ehnsley  could  otter  any  remark  on  this  singular  adventure— "the 
tniliii  is  in  the  scow,  and  Corporal  Oollius,  tireou  and  Philips  are  there  alst 
with  their  shovcN,  ropes,  anil  puiv-.  ii  Air.  Elm-'K-y  wm  gi  e  me  permi* 
(ion,"  and  he  touched  his  cap  to  that  oflicer.     ''  I  will  ixn  too,  sir." 

"As  sergeant  of  the  guard — no,  Nixon,  my  good  follow,  that  will  never 
do,     Tho  three  men  you  have  named,  are,  with  myself,  (juiie  euoiijjh.     B« 


. 


l\ 


H  ^RDSCRABIILE  ;    Oa,    TUE   FALL   OF  CHICAaO, 


107 


on  the  looTv-oiit  thoiign,  to  let  us  in  on  our  return.  Have  vou  provldea  a 
dark  lantern  V 

"  Yet),  air.  Ooilins  lias  the  lantern  belDnping  to  the  giinrd  hou:«e." 

'•Good.  I  will  follow  you  in  a  nioineiit,  Elinsley,'' he  continued,  ri.-i:;^ 
and  draiiiiiiir  off  his  half-emptied  jrlass.  "lend  nie  your  pniyer-l)o(»k.  I  wish 
that  you  could  bo  present  at  this  dismal  ceremony,  but  of  course  that  is 
wholly  out  of  the*  question." 

*'  It  is,  indeed,  my  dear  fellow.  It  would  never  do  for  us  both  to  be 
absent.  Not  only  ourselves  but  tlie  men  would  be  hrou:.rht  into  the  scrai>e, 
for  yt)U  know  Ileadley  always  sleeps  with  one  eye  open." 

'*  I  do  not  like  to  do  any  thing  clandostinely,"  remarked  the  ensign — 
"  partioidiiily  after  our  reconciliation  with  him.  Moreover,  it  is,  as  you  say, 
in  some  degi'ee  compromising  the  men  ami  myself  with  them.  I  have  a 
great  mii.d  before  I  start  ti)  see  and  explain  every  thing  to  ileadley,  and 
obtain  his  s.'UiCtion  to  my  absence." 

"  Nonsense,"  returned  liis  friend,  "he  will  never  know  it;  besides  it  is 
j)Ossibie  that  he  may  refuse  to  let  you  go  before  morninir,  and  your  object  is, 
of  course,  to  have  every  thing  finished  to-night.  Take  my  advice;  go 
without  s|>e;iking  tohim  on  tiie  subject,  and  if  your  remorse  of  conscience," 
and  he  smiled  ariihly,  "be  so  great  afterwards,  as  to  deprive  you  of  more 
rest  and  apiietite  ih;in  you  lost  after  killing  that  poor  devil  of  a  "WinnebaL-'o, 
go  to  liiin  ;is  you  di<l  belort- — contess  that  yon  have  again  been  a  naughty 
boy — a.>k  his  pardon,  and  1  am  sure  he  will  forgive  the  eriine." 

"  Well,  I  helievc  you  are  right.  Be  it  so.  Adieu,  I  shall  be  back  witliin 
a  couple  of  lio'irs  at  the  latest." 

"if  you  do,  you  Mill  in  all  probability  find  me  still  poring  over  this  old 
Intelliireiicei',  which  is  fidl  of  rumors  of  aproaching  war  v.itii  the  Hritish." 

"islialiiiH  more  inclined  to  hug  my  pillow,"  rcplinl  tlie  ensign  as  ho 
departi-d,  "for  1  must  again  cross  to  the  cottage,  and  be  back  liere  before 
guitrd- mounting  to-nmrrow." 

Within  ten  minutes  the  party — two  of  them  having  borne  the  empty 
cottin,  and  the  '"trjtorul  the  necessary  implements,  stood  near  the  rose-tree 
in  the  gardt-n.  The  body  of  Mr.  Heywood  was  disinterred — tlie  bark  in 
which  it  lay  wound  round  with  many  folds  of  a  large  sheet,  aiul  placed  iu 
the  coffin,  wliich  ni,:"  being  screwed  down,  was  deposited  in  a  grave  dug  al 
.ea<i  five  feet  under  the  snrface.  Then  conmienced  the  biu'ial  service,  wiiich 
WHS  »-ta<l  Ity  the  young  otii(ter  in  a  slow  and  impressive  tone,  and  by  ti»f 
.ight  of  the'  shaded  hinfern,  which,  falling  obli(iuely  upon  the  forms  of  the 
men,  discovereil  tlu-m  standing  around  the  grave — one  foot  resting  on  iha 
edge — the  other  drawn  back,  as  they  awaited  the  sigtud  to  lower  their 
almost  ofien>.ive  burden  into  its  la-^t  resting-place.  At  length  the  prayeru 
for  the  dead  were  eiidL-d,  and  the  grave  was  caroftdly  filled  up,  leaving  as 
before,  no  ine<iuality,  but  too  deej)  t<)  attract  the  scent  of  Loup  Garou.  Then 
after  having  dug  u\<  a  few  small  roots  of  the  sweet  briar,  ati^  placed  them  at 
intervals  on  the  ni-wly-turned  earth.  Konayne  cros  ed  with  his  little  party 
to  the  Fort,  glad  to  obtain  a  few  hours  of  that  re[)o.-e,  for  wh  ch  th« 
karasaing  events  of  the  doy  had  so  much  jtredisposod  Lim. 


103 


HARDSCllABBU:  ;    OU,    TILE  FALL   OF   UIICAttO. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 


Tot  fonrth  of  July  1812,  was  a  more  than  nsnal  gala  day  in  tlie  little  Fort 
of  Oliicago,  for  in  addition  to  the  National  Jubilee,  there  was  to  bo  oel^ 
brated  one  of  a  private,  yet  not  less  interesting  nature.  On  that  evening 
EiisifTu  lionayne  was  to  espouse,  in  the  very  room  in  which  he  had  first  been 
introduced  to  her,  the  woman  he  had  so  long  and  so  ardently  loved,  and 
who,  her  mother  having  after  a  severe  struggle  beoonie  convalescent,  IkkI 
cont'jr:i  ably  to  her  promise,  yielded  a  not  relMctant  consent  to  his  prroosaJ 
that  this  day  of  general  joy,  should  be  that  of  the  commencement  of  ^iieir 
own  happiness. 

At  tliat  remote  period,  and  in  the  absence  of  duly  ordained  clergymen,  it 
was  cu-toinarv  for  marriages  to  l)e  performed  by  *"h6  Governors  of  Districts 
and  by  conunaudini;  ofiicers  of  distant  Forts,  aiid  these,  perf'ectiy  legal,  wer« 
t'ubsecjnently  as  inclination,  or  scruple  of  conscience  induced,  celebrated  in 
tlie  usual  manner.  The  early  marriages  of  British  subjects  in  Canada,  soon 
after  its  conque-t  trom  tlie  Frencli,  as  well  as  many  ot  tiiose  of  the  colonies 
now  iiijown  fis  tlie  United  States,  took  place  in  this  manimer,  and  tlie  custom 
had  been  continued  until  inoieased  population  provided  the  means  o1  securing 
tliat  spiiitiuil  comfort,  which  it  must,  of  course,  have  been  impossible  for  one 
dressed  in  a  red  cnat  instead  of  a  black  one,  to  impart. 

lint  neither  M.iria  lleywood  or  Ronayne  stood  much  on  this  punctilio. 
Provided  thu  ceremony  was  le^al,  and  according  to  the  customs  of  tiie 
country,  it  matk'red  little  wiio  married  tliem — the  governor  of  a  district — 
the  commandant  of  a  garrison,  or  a  Gretna  Green  blacksmith — had  they  felt 
at  ail  disposed  to  avail  tiiemselves  of  the  services  of  ttie  latter. 

It  was  a  lovely  day,  j.nd  every  tiling  seemed  to  smile  upon  the  denizens 
of  that  region,  fiom  the  early  dawn  until  the  setting  of  the  sun.  Officers 
and  iuen  "vvere  in  their  l)rightesr  uniforms — the  women  and  children  in  their 
holiday  dres-es.  A  ^])lendid  new  Stnr  Spangled  Banner — tlie  work  of  Maria 
Heywood's  hands — tloate<l  in  the  dazzling  rays  of  the  sun,  upon  the  southern 
bastion  of  the  Fort.  Joy  and  pride  sat  on  every  brow.  They  exulted  at  the 
recollet tion  of  that  hardly  won  freedom  from  injustice,  which  was  that  day 
to  be  celebrated  for  the  tliiriy-sixth  time. 

At  noon  the  canium  tlmndered  forth  their  bursts  of  rejoicing.  This  was 
the  signal  for  the  numerous  Pottowattamies  outside,  all  of  whom  had  decked 
themselves  for  the  occasion,  to  a[)|)r.iach  nearer  to  the  Fort.  On  the  glacis 
they  ditjcharged  their  guns  and  ritles,  and  seemed  to  have  but  one  spirit  with 
the  allies  to  whom  they  appeared  to  have  devoted  tiiemselves.  Winnebeg, 
however,  thoiifrh  long  ex[)ected,  had  not  yet  returned,  and  nothing  yet  had 
been  seen  of  Waunan^'ee,  since  liis  departure  on  the  day  following  the  litilo 
ineident  which  occurred  in  Elin>ley's  apartments. 

Contrary  to  that  imnatural  etiquette  which  enjoins  that  two  betrothed 
^erM  ns,  who  are  expected  to  be  iu-e[)aralile  after  marriage,  should  never 
ishow  tliemsi'lves  together  in  pnhlic  imtnediately  before,  Ronayne  had  aft<'r 
jiarudo  ascended  the  rampart,  with  Maria  lleyvvood  leai:ing  upon  his  ann, 
iK.H'a-ionally  glancing  at  tlie  group  «)f  paily-costumed  Indians,  wli«)  were 
umu^iug  themselves  on   t'.e  i^jreen,  Imt  I'l'iener  admirin;^  the  lovely  view. 


/ 


nAKDHCHAimT.I-  ;    OU    THE   TALL   OK  ClTrCAr^O. 


109 


was 

eked 
lacia 
with 

Bbeg, 

ittle 

tlifd 
ever 

llft.T 

vnn, 
iu\v« 


BOftoTie'l  l)y  (Tfstance,  wTildi  w.-ts  |irfscritfi|  in  v.-rioiH  polnt-i.  find  particnlarT? 
tdujii'il^  the  tanii — t!io  theatre  of  events  wincii  ilie  (»ilR'rwi>e  li.-ippy  ^nrl, 
CduM  not  at  tliat  niomeiit  avtild  briiiirini:  lo  hvv  recollection. 

Wliile  gazing  in  lliat  diroction,  her  e\e  tell  ujioii  the  form  of  a  yonng 
Indian  who  was  leaning  ajfaiiist  tiie  corner  of  the  i»ii'keted  bastion  on  her 
left,  in  the  shallow,  dry,  and  i:rass-covered  diicli  that  surrounded  it.  At 
first  her  glance  caught  an  indistinct  human  form  dressed  in  the  Indi.in  garli, 
but  a--  her  gaze  settled  on  the  object,  lur  surprise  was  gi-eat  to  recocnustf 
Waiitiangee,  who  was  even  then  looking  at  her  with  tha  same  sofr.ened  ami 
eloquent  expression,  which  had  given  her  so  much  nnxiety  on  a  foruie) 
oocHson.  The  iinprission  produced  U[*on  her  was  exactly  what  it  hud  bee« 
then — indescribable — inexplicMble  to  herself, 

'•  What  is  the  matter,  my  love?"  inquired  Ronayne  tenderly,  and  jMessirg 
lier  arm  to  his  heart — '' what  fixes  your  attention  below  {"  then  set  lug  the 
Indian  him.'-elf.  "Ah!  Waunangee,  my  friend!''  he  exclaimed,  "where 
liavti  yon  been  all  this  time?  Come  round  to  the  gate  and  siiuke  hands  with 
rn\  wile." 

"No,  no,  no.  (\o  not  call  him  up,  Ronayne — you  cannot  think  how  much 
th«3  [M'esence  of  that  Ifidian  troubles  me." 

"Nay,  dearest  Maria,  yon  are  not  yourself.  Why  continue  this  strong 
di>like  agaiii>t  the  poor  fellow?     I  thought  you  had  quite  forgiven  him." 

Was  it  accident — was  it  modesty,  or  was  it  a  conscit>usness  that  his 
presence  was  not  desired  by  at  least  one  of  the  parties,  that  prevented  the 
young  Itnlian  from  obeying  the  summons  of  the  ollicter.  Whatever  the 
caiHc,  he  assume(l  a  serious  mein.  and  playing  one  of  tho^e  melancholy  airs 
which  so  ol'ieii,  at  that  time,  miyht  de  lieanl  proceeding  from  the  rude  liute 
of  their  race,  walked  slowly  away. 

'•  I  fear  you  have  oflfended  him,  Maria.     Oh!  if  you  knew " 

"Kona\ne — dearest  Harry  !"  interrnj)ted  his  beirothed — "I  have  never 
Raid  anytiiing  of  this  before  to  you,  because,  after  all,  it  is  but  an  idle  fancy, 
yet  I  cannot  <Hve^t  myself  of  the  idea  that  this  Indian,  inieresting  ami 
j)repo>se>sing  as  he  is,  is  somehow  or  other  connected  with  my  I'uture  fate. 
Nay,"  as  tiie  yiumg  ollicer  smiled  in  playful  mockery,  "  you  may  riilicule 
my  presentiment,  whicli  is,  1  confess,  so  much  at  vai'iauce  wiih  ^()o«l  sense, 
tiiat  I  almost  blush  to  introduce  the  subject,  but  still  1  cannot  banish  the 
impres>ion." 

'■  Then  1  will  assist  you  in  doing  so,  dearest,  even  though  at  the  risk  (»f 
re-o])ening  a  newly-closed  wound,"  remarked  her  lover,^with  deep  aflectitju 
of  manner.  'In  my  narrative  of  those  events,  hastily  thrown  to^etlier, 
wliich  I  irave  you  on  that  memorable  iiiirht,  when  I  sullVred  for  a  period, 
almost  the  torments  of  the  damned,  I  did  iu)t,  it  seems  tv)  me,  naine  the 
young  Indian,  w  ho,  with  his  lather,  so  greatly  aided  me  on  my  return  to  the 
farm.  ai;d  even  bore  upon  his  shouMers  the  sacred  charge." 

"No,  Harry,  you  did  not,"  quickly  ivjoii'.ed  Maria  llrywood  ;  "hut  I 
know  now  whom  yon  mean.     It  was  Waunangee."' 

"It  was,"  said  the  ensign — "I  know  your  knowledge  of  th.it  !ai  t  will 
chaiige  your  fevling>  towards  him." 

"They  are  changed — even  at  this  moment,  and  henceforth  I  shall  be  to 
him  as  a  sister.  Ah  I  how  uuu:ratet'ul  must  1  have  appeared  to  the  poor 
fallow.     I  shall  coiKjuer  this  tilly  weakness.     I  have  misunderstood  my  own 


/  . 


110 


HAunHCitAinii-r. ;   on,  tiik  r.\:.i.  of  iiiicaoo. 


Impressions,  niul  It.  must  Imve  been  tliat  I  have  'nistaken  tl:e  influence 
Wminant^ee  lias  liad  fui- tliat  Nvl.'.ch  is  to  be.  Call  liim  np  now,  Ronayne, 
and  I  will  clieerfull}-  ;:ive  Iiim  my  hand,  nnd  promise  to  love  liim  as  a  brother 
in  return  for  tin'  devotion  he  has  evinced,  not  1«S8  tor  you  than  for  my  poor 
father." 

'•Time  enongh,  repentant  sinner,"  returned  the  young  ofllcer,  at  the  same 
time  cas'infj:  his  j,'l;iiu;e  rapidly  over  the  groii|»  of  Indians,  who  were 
amusing  themselves  at  vnridus  athletic  games.  '"  I  cat:  see  notliing  of  hliu. 
Your  evident  dis|)leasure,"  he  athled  ])layfidiy,  ''  hf»3  destntved  his  peace,  as 
indeed  yuii  might  have  known  from  that  plaintive  ilitty.  However,  deare>t 
girl,  I  shall  i^ee  him  sixm,  and  make  him  i>romise  to  be  present  this  evening 
at  the  nuptials  of  his  fiend  and  sister.  Nay,  if  1  had  not  engaged  Elmsley, 
I  eiiotdd  insist  on  his  being  my  bridesman." 

The  only  notice  taken  of  ;!iis  sally  was  a  faint  smile  from  his  companion, 
who  now  de-cended  with  him  fr  jni  the  rampart  and  proceeded  to  the  ^ipart- 
menta  of  Mrs.  Elmsley,  where  her  mother  and  herself  liad  (mee  more  been 
visitors  for  the  last  few  days.  Here  they  separated  to  meet  again  in  the 
evening — K<>na\  ne  directing  his  attention  to  Ids  "arious  duties,  and  looking 
our  fit  ii'terv  il-  t'(>r  hi<  voung  Indian  friend 

it  was  night.  JNo  accident  nad  oceurred  t)ey()n(l  the  laceration  of  two  <»f 
Epliraim  Ctiles's  fingers,  \v!io  tiaving  rluit  day  been  presented  with  a  new  suit 
by  the  (lector — the  fac-siinile  in  fa-^hion  of  the  old— !i;id  been  whittling 
alm"st  in  t'ronr  of  one  of  the  guns  wIil-u  discha!\'ed.  and  lost.,  with  the  skin 
of  his  linger,  both  his  .-tick  and  his  knife.  The  sultriness  at'  the  day  had 
been  snctit^edi-d  by  a  cool  and  refreshing  air.  Gaiety  and  content  every 
where  prevailed,  au<l  many  were  the  voices — male  and  female — that  ex- 
claimed, as  allusion  was  made  to  the  ceremony  all  knew  to  be  in  progress: 
"God  bless  tiiem,  and  make  them  ha[)py,  as  they  de<rrve  to  be."  A  large 
tni>  of  whisky-punch,  the  gift  of  the  commanding  otHcer,  had  been  brewed 
by  Von  Voiteiiherg,  tor  their  mid-day  revel,  and  this,  all  had  been  unanimous 
in  pronouncing  the  best  me<licine  the  doctor  had  ever  ad  idnisiered  to  them; 
and  now  in  <iuall  social  me.s.se3,  seated  round  their  rude  tables,  covered  with 
tin  goblets,  and  pitcliers  of  the  same  metal — the  moihers  with  their  children 
at  their  side  or  upon  their  knees,  and  the  fathers  and  unmarried  men  putling 
clouds  of  smoke  from  their  short  pipes — which  they  tilled  tVom  two  others 
placed  lui  ar>  elevated  settle — one  in  each  block  house — which  tiie  happy 
K'-nayne  had  given  them  on  the  occasion. 

Even  ihe  guard  was  moderately  supplieil,  and  the  sentries  alone,  pa<'iu<r  to 
and  fro  in  iheir  limited  wulk,  felt  the  bitterness  of  [H'ivation,  as  they  counted 
the  minutes  that  must  e!ap-e  before  they  could  join  in  the  festivities  which 
the  loud  voice  and  ringing  hiugh,  occasionally  wafted  to  their  ears,  told  them 
were  in  progi-ess. 

Iti  the  rooms  of  the  commanding  officer  there  was  more  than  the  usual 
manifest.ation  of  the  anniversary.  All  had  dined  at  an  enrly  hour,  but  a 
large  side-boiird  that  st(»od  in  one  corner  ot'  the  council  room — always  fitted 
np  on  these  occasions — was  covered  witli  vases  containing  wines,  liquanr.s, 
juleps,  and  punches  of  various  kinds — the  latter  the  work  of  the  indefatigable 
son  of  Escula|)ius,  and  of  these  the  host  and  his  guests  partook  freely,  in 
Commemoration  of  the  day,  At  the  opposite  end  of  the  room  had  ueen 
Tn'*ed  a  sort  of  tribune  for  '.ho  orator  of  the  dayi  but  as  it  wus  inttjiuied.  tU© 


t^Vtf. 


thtiia 


iiAKDsc'UAnnLF. ;   (Ml,  TU'.;  lAi.i,  <>:•  ( iiicAao. 


Ill 


a(1f1ro«s  slioHid  ho  iinpromiitii,  no  ns'in'  h;i(T  Won  mciitfoneiT,  nor  could  any 
one  know,  inii'il  tlio  moiUL-iil  wIiom  tiic  iii!ij"riiy  (»f  voifc-;  slii»ul(l  s^elool  iii'U 
on  wlioMi  tlie  olHce  \v;i!(  to  devolve.  In  tlu'  t'cir  I'riti-'iTiiined  by  e.-icli  t'lat  Im 
shoiihl  1)0  tlio  p.'irty  sulocted,  tlu;  i:';i-<-.  to  inipirt  tlio  necossury  coiii'.-ii^'*,  was 
not  spHred.  But  he  who  w.'t-i  not  in  tho  room,  or  of  tho  iinnibe!'  ot'  t d-'U 
devoted  to  tlie  piincli-bowl  was  the  [)i'rson  cho-!cn.  As  it'  by  one  iujp-ii-ive 
consent.  Ronayne,  who  was  seated  in  the  inner  room,  and  disco'irsin^  o['  a'ly 
thins,'  bnt  [lofitics  to  hid  betrotiied.  fonnd  hinist/lf  loudly  cilled  upon — • 
knew  it  wasi  in  vain  to  object — and  reluotanily  rose  in  obedience  U)  the 
siiinnions. 

"CoMie  young  gentleman,"  said  Oiipraln  Ileadley,  enterini;  with  an  air  cf 
gaiety  by  no  means  usual  to  him,  "yon  are,  it  appears,  in  all  tliin;r-i,"  am! 
he  bowed  signiticantly  to  Maria  Ileywo xl,  "  the  chosen  of  the  evening,' — but 
recoiled,''  he  added,  as  ho  drew  his  arm  through  his  own,  and  proceeded 
towar.ls  the  larger  apartment  where  Ilonayne  wius  awaited,  ''as  you  acpiit 
vours -If  of  I'our  dutv,  so  shall  I  of  mine.'''' 

''  I  shall  do  my  best,  s'r,"  replied  the  youth,  in  the  satne  light  tone,  "  but 
of  the  two  orations,  1  know  which  will  be  the  best  suited  to  my  own  taste.'' 

The  other  ladies,  with  the  extx-|)tion  of  Mrs.  Ileywood,  had.  .aL<o  risL-n, 
and  now  stood  ^^rouped  noarCa|)tain  Ileadley.  who,  with  Maria  Ileywood  ou 
hi-<  arm,  leaned  .against  the  door-way  se[)araiing  the  two  rooms— whild 
Ronayne,  ai  lid  olieers  and  congratulations,  made  his  way  to  the  triinu.e,  at 
the  fan  her  end  of  the  apartment. 

His  address  was  necessarily  ni)t  long — for  independently  of  the  impatieru^a 
he  c(»nld  not  bnt  entertain  at  that  moment  of  all  subjects  but  that  nearest 
his  hcarr,  he  w,is  by  no  means  !imbiti(»ns  of  making  a  disolay  of  his  powers 
of  elocution.  Yet,  not  withst;inding  t!ds,  be  treated  his  theme  in  so  iiM-^terly 
n  m  .nner,  ;ind  in  such  perfectly  g(tod  tas'e,  omitting  ail  expressions  of  thai 
r"if  -I-  ti)'v  I- '  (Jr. -lit  Britain,  which  f'orms  so  leading  a  featui'o  in  Aiaenuaa 
orfttions  on  this  occasion,  and  yet  reflecting  honor  on  tlie  Land  of  l.is  l).rtr> — 
alluding,  mf)reover,  to  the  hgli  position  even  then  occupied  by  the  nation, 
Hnd  the  future  greatness  which  he  predicted,  from  ii-  law.s.  iis  institutions, 
and  pet'uli.ar  foi-m  of  government,  awaited  it — that  Maria  Heywoo<l  could 
not  fail  to  experience  a  secret  pride  in  the  warm,  and  eviiiently  .-incere 
acelamati'm  of  the  little  party  present,  attesting  as  they  did,  their'estiinate 
of  the  .viirrh  of  him,  who  in  another  hour,  would  be  her  own  fur  life. 

As  Konayne  descending  from  the  tribune,  passed  to  tiie  other  side  of  the 
room,  he  looked  out  of  tho  door  which  had  been  left  open,  not  more  on 
account  of  tlu'  heat,  than  to  afford  tiie  men  and  their  families  iin  oppt>rtuidty 
of  iiearing  the  discoui'se  thus  delivered — almost  the  fir-t  [)er.son  who  came 
under  his  glance  was  Wauiumgee,  for  whose  admission  he  ii;id  given  orders 
to  the  Serjeant  of  the  guard,  and  who  now,  in  compliance  with  liis  pres-iiig 
entreaty,  had  nttended.  lie  was  beconnngly  dressed  in  deer  skin,  richly 
embroidered,  i)liant  and  of  a  clear  brown  that  harmonized  well  wiili  the 
tnowy  whiteness  of  his  lin(Mi  shirr,  which  was  t'astrned  with  silver  lu-oociies, 
widle  on  the  Oiiually  decorated  lt'g!j:ins,  he  'vore  around  the  ancle,  strin^^  "f 
niinute  bra-8  bells.  On  his  head  llo.-ited  the  rich  [dumage  of  various  rara 
bird?!,  but  no  paint  was  visible  beyond  the  slightest  tint  of  verniili*n  on  the 
very  top  of  each  cheek-bone,  rendering  even  more  striking  the  expression  o*' 
hia  soft  dark  eyes 


113 


n.\Ki)8cnAniji.E ;  on,  the  tam,  of  cmcAc.o. 


n6oT<i>nl:i^  to  liiiii,  Koiiayiio  diew  tlie  y()iin<r  Iiulifiri  wflhin  tlie  floor, 
wliich  liad  lie  iint  iKt.iileiitaiiy  <li><Hii::ui«licil  liiiii  in  tne  crowd,  lie  was  quite 
too  modest  to  eiit'  r  alone.  Tlieii  di-tivviit;;  lii>  anii  tlirfjii^^h  hi.s  own,  he  led 
hii  1,  ('oloriiig  and  embarni^sed  at  the  noveUy  ot'  tlie  ^ceIlt^,  to  tlio  place 
wli6;-e  Cipiain  lleadltv  was  still  liniieiinji  with  his  charge.  The  inwineni; 
they  were  near  enough,  the  latier  held  out  her  hand  tt)  WiUinatvgee,  and  wiih 
all  tiie  wariuih  of  her  generous  nature,  i>re>sed  that  whicli  he  extended. 
The  youiii:  lixlian  colored  more  deeply  even  than  liet'ore — his  hand  treiiibh-d 
in  hers — and  t!ie  l(»ok  of  thankfulness  which  he  lieiit  n|)on  her,  in  return-for 
this  unnii-iakeahle  coiili  ience,  had  all  the  tou<'.liing  melancholy  of  exi>res>ion 
■which  she  had  remarked  in  them  at  their  lirst  meeting.  Again  a  mingled 
BentiiiU'iit  of  confusion  and  distrust  sutfused  the  ciieek,  and  for  a  nioMieiit 
oppressed  the  spii'it  of  Maria  Hey  wood  in  d'.spite  of  herself,  and  she  almost 
wislied  Wauiiangee  had  not  returned.  The  thought,  however,  wa'*  moiiient- 
ary.  She  felt  the  folly,  the  injtislice  of  her  feeliniis,  and  anxious  to  atone 
for  them,  she  nervously — almost  ot)nvulsively  graspeil  ihe  haud  of  tiie 
Inoian,  carried  it  to  her  lips,  and  sai»[  iu  her  full,  sweet:  and  earnest  tonea, 
thai  hv  must  ever  he  iier  brother  as  she  woidd  ever  he  his  sister. 

"And  now,"  said  Captain  lieiulley  to  the  young  officer,  '*  what  reward 
do  yt)U  e.\()ect  fa-  your  mtiiden  oration  ?  What  shall  it  be,  MissJIey  wood  f" 
'■  I  will  spaie  her  the  trouble  of  an  answer,"  inferposed  Uonayiie,  as  he 
tool;  the  arm  which  iiad  ju-t  di>engaged  itself  from  that  of  the  commandaut, 
and  placed  it  within  his  own,  '•  until  you  h.'we  set  y.>ur  -^eal  to  the  priceless 
gilt,"  and  his  eyti:^  looked  aU  the  intou>ity  ^f  his  feeling;  *' I  part  not  with 
it  again." 

"Every  thing  is  ready  in  the  next  room,"  at.s«'ered  Captain  llead'ey — 
go  in.  When  I  inive  announced  that  the  ceremony  in  about  to  take  place, 
I  shall  hasten  to  give  you  \\\6  dear  giri  lortife,"  and  imprinting  a  ki.>s  upon 
lier  brow,  lie  passed  on  t»)  those  wno  were  paying  their  hopiage  to  tlie 
puncli-bo'vl,  ai'ul  di-ciis-«ing  the  merits  of  the  oration  just  delive^red. 

It  wa|  wiih  a  Ihished  cheek,  and  a  heatiiig  heart  ihai  Maria  lleywood  was 
le«l  by  donayne,  radiant  with  hope  and  joy,  to  the  little  table  covered  with 
plain,  white  diuMi,  and  illuminated  by  half  a  dozen  tall  candles,  behind  whie)i 
the  Commanding  otHcer-Jiad  placed  himself  on  an  elevated  estrade. 

All  of  the  gi.e-t-.  wt-re  grouped!  around,  a  little  in  the  rear,  while  Lieutenant 
Ehiisley  sttMid  on  the  right  haiul  ai  his  friend,  and  his  vvife  on  the  left  of  the 
betr'tihed.  Next  to  liei',  in  .au  arm  clniir,  which,  provided  with  rollers,  waa 
easily  moved,  Mrs.  ileywood — and  With  her  beautiful  arms  re[)Osing  on  tin* 
i''*ih  b.Kik  of  this,  stood  Mrs.  Ueadley  in  graceful  attitude,  watchimj.  th« 
a^reoiony  witfi  almo-t  m.ii.ru  .1  iii<.;.o--l.  ,,.i..u- i...  ._  ..^.i  i,'.i"ij.»i,;i\  ne, 
from  whom  he  evidently  did  not  like  to  be  separ.if'  d.  >too,i  Waunange**, 
witli  an  air  of  deep  dejection,  yet  casting  glances, rapidly  frt.i.i  one  to  tiie 
other  of  Ills  two  frieinis. 

When  the  young  officer,  after  havit>p  f"rmaHy  received  the  bride  from  her 
triotlier,  whose  strength  barely  permitted  her  to  rise  and  go  tljroui»h  that  part 
of  the  ceremony,  jiroceeded  to  place  the  ring  upon  tiie  linger  of  ids  wife,  it 
ftdl,  either  from  nervousness  or  accident  upon  the  matted  tloor.  Quick  a.4 
thought,  Waunangee,  who  had  now  his  whole  attt-ntion  bent  upon  the 
passing  scene,  stoopecl,  picked  it  up,  and  attempted  to  jJace  it  on  the  finger, 
■till  extended,  for  which  it  was  designed. 


41 


nAUDSCKABBLE  ;    On,   THE  FAT.Ii  OP  CHICAGO. 


113 


G«T-tly,  Waunangee,  my  pood  fellow,"  saitl  the  ofrujcr,  piqued  not  less  a: 
his  own  iiwkwanlness  at  such  a  inouient,  th.in  at  tlie  ()Utr6  act  of  the  youth, 
fruii  whom  he  rather  uucereinonioualy  took  it — ''tlie  husbaud  only  doea 
ihis.'' 

"  Wah  1"  involuntarily  exclaitned  the  other,  his  cheek  becoming  biitrhtet, 
and  Iiis  eyes  kiiKlli«iig  into  sudden  fierceness,  while  his  hand  intuitively 
clutched  the  handle  of  iiis  knife— yet  the  moin«nt  afterwards  relinquialiod  it. 
The  niotiou  had  baen  so  quick,  indeed,  that  only  Mr.  Headley  and  the  bride 
herself  had  noticed  it. 

Still  fascinated  as  it  were  by  the  novel  scene,  Waunangee  moved  not 
away,  but  the  express'on  of  his  eyes  had  wholly  changed.  There  was  no 
longer  to  be  remarked  there  the  great  melancholy  of  the  past — but  the  wild 
restless,  flashing  glance  that  told  of  strong  excitement  within. 

When  immediately  afterward^  they  knelt,  and  had  their  hands  joined  by 
Ca|>tain  Headley,  Waunangee  bent  eagerly  forward,  as  if  apprehensi»e  of 
h)sing  the  slightest  part  of  the  ceremonial,  but  when  at  the  conclusion, 
Ronayne  saluted  his  wife  in  the  usual  maimer,  his  cheek  became  suddenly 
pale  as  its  native  hue  would  permit,  and  with  folded  arms  and  proud  attitude 
he  withdrew  slowly  from  the  place  he  had  hitherto  occupied,  to  mingle 
more  with  the  crowd  behind. 

"When  Ronayne,  who,  remembering  the  little  incident  of  the  ring,  and  the 
possible  pique  Waunangee  might  feel,  turned  to  look  for  him,  that  he  might 
again  present  his  bride  in  her  new  character,  lie  was  no  where  to  be  seen, 
nor  was  he  ever  again  beheld  within  the  precincts  of  that  stockade. 

And  under  those  singular  and  somewhat  ominous  circumstances,  w«re 
the  long- delayed  nuptials  of  ^arry  Ronayne  atid  Maria  Hey  wood— the 

freat  favorites  of  the  garrisoa— celebrated  to  the  joy  of  all   witbla   Um 
ort  of  Ohioago. 


^•'*feW, 


^■t-  ■.,. 


J0^.. 


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•%'.. 


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I.  Allan  Qnatonnatn.    Iliiag'ircl.    2.  Kins  Solomon*H  ITlIncH.    XTaecard. 

8.  Slie:    \  M.vfilcry.     Ila.m,'ird.     4.  Ii^asi  liyiiiie.     By  Mr-.  H cur. v  Wood. 

5.  A  ITIodorn  C'lrop.    ly  ttie  "Jinrli.  s  ."    G.  IKobliifton  f'roHoe.    D.  De  Foe. 
7*  Pllgrlin'N  ProxroiH.    Iiiiuya-i.    8.  I^ays  ol' Auclcikt  Rouio.    Mt.caulny. 

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II,  History  of  Cliarlcs  7^11.    Vollulre.     12.  Life  ol'  Nc!son.    Southey. 
13.  Qasnic  Tale<i.  Maria  Ivl-oworth.    14,  Ylcar  ol  Wakcticld.  Goldsmith. 

16,  irtio  Usurper.    Jiulitli  Gmitier.    16.  Dr.  Jacob.    M.  U.  Ivlwanls. 

17.  RoalUios  ol'  IriNli  Life.    W.  S.  Trench.     18.  ITIy  IHarriagic. 

19.  liove's  Madness.   Matliil  o  Blind.    20.  Tlio  Rose  fiiarden.    .Mi^,"*  Pcard 
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23.  Tlie  f;r5inc  of  riiaitrc.    Mi^^s  P(  nrd.    21.  Trencli's  V^ivcs. 

25.  Dickens'  C^iiild's  History  of  England. 

26.  Irvine's  Sltetoii-Book.    27.  thristmas  Tales.  Dkkeiis. 
28.  20,000  L.casues  Under  the  Sea.    By  JmIps  Vcrno. 

20.  The  Fur  Country.    Vurno.     30.  Five  Week*  in  a  Balloon,  Verne. 

31.  The  mysterious  Island,    r.v  Jnlcs  S'cnie. 

32.  Tour  of  the  AVorld  in  80  Cays.    Py  JuIif  Yorno 

33.  Great  £xpeetat!»ns.    Dickenis.    3  1.  Oliver  T'.vlst.    Biclccns. 

3o.  The  Scottish  Chiefs.    Porter.    3G.  Thaddens  of  Warsaw.    Porter 
87.  Children  of  tho  Abbey.    P.y  R.  M.  Kocho. 

38.  Tho  Uneomnierclai  Traveller.    Ty  Charlci' Dickent*. 

39.  Arabian  Nights'  l^^ntertainments.  40.  Jane  Eyre.  Bronta. 
41.  Old  Curiosity  Shop.  Dickens.  42.  Ivanhoe.  Sir  Waller  Scott 
43.  Christmas  Stories.    By  Cbarles  Dh  kens. 

44*  liast  of  the  I?Iohlcans.    By  J.  Fcnimore  Cooper. 

45.  John  Halifax,  Gentleman.    By  Miss  Mulock, 

46.  Uarda.    By  Goor^'c  Kbers. 

47.  A  Tale  of  Two  Cities.    By  Charles  Dickens. 

48.  Romola.    By  Georce  E'ioi. 

49.  Christmas  Books.    By  Charles  Dickens. 
60.  JEsop's  Fables. 


SI.  RnsMlan  Falrjr  Talc*. 

53.  HaufPs  Fairy  Talen.    TranBlutcd  by  B.  L.  Stowcll.    Illustrated. 

65.  Grlnim^n  Popular  Tale«. 

64.  The  Ilcd  C'aniclla}  or,  Thorhcvn11«TCa»t<eC'oa.   By  Fortune  Da  Boiigobey. 
S5.  Tlio  Hearcb.  lor  AnceHtom.    liy  Furtunc  Du  Buitgobej. 

66.  Uariiaby  Itudcc    Ity  tliurlc!*  Dickens. 

57.  Kdwlii  Drood.    Ry  ChurlcH  Dickens. 

58.  AnderHcu'H  Fairy  Tale*. 
50.  GiiIllvcr^N  Travel*. 

60.  Tli«  S VI  Ins  Fiinlljr  Robinson. 

61.  l.af»t  Day*  of  Pompeii. 

62.  Plctlola  and  Undine. 

63.  RaNftelan.    By  Dr.  Juhnt'on. 

61.  A  Terrible  Temptation.    By  Charlea  Rcadc. 

65.  Sket<-hcN  by  Boz.    Hy  Charlci^  Dlckfii». 

66.  An  In  a  K.ooklne-f*!as8.     (It  l»  upon  thiH  novel  Mri*.  Lan^try'n  play  if  based.) 

67.  TI»o  Hook  of  PralHO.    Selected  and  Arrun<,'ed  Jiy  Roiiudill  i'aluier. 

68.  American  and  Italian  Notes.    By  Ctiurlcs  Dickeua. 

69.  Old  C'lirlstnian.    By  WaBbin^ton  Irving. 

70.  liafltte;  or,  The  Pirate  of  tbc  Gulf.    By  Prof.  J.  H.  T:.i,nham. 

71.  Theodore,  Child  oftho  Sea;  Adopt>-d  Son  of  Lufltte.    By  0   II.  Ingrahuna. 

72.  ficorge  Barnwell.    A  Novel.    By  T.  8.  Surr. 

73.  Hard  Times.    By  Charles  Dickcut<. 

74.  Christine  ;  or,  Woman's  Trials  and  Triumphs.    By  Laura  J  Curtis. 

75.  Camllle:  or,  The  Fate  of  a  Coquette.    By  Alexandre  Dumas. 

76.  Our  Cou    '  n  Veronica.    By  Miss  M.  E.  Wornicliy. 

77.  The  Tenant  Iloar^c;  or.  Embers  from  Poverty's  Uearthr'tone. 

78.  9EaHanl«>llo  ;  or.  The  Fisherman's  League.    By  Alexandre  Dumas. 

79.  Hot  Corn  ;  or,  Street  Scenes  of  Nev  York  City  Life.    By  Solon  Koblnson. 

80.  "WaeouHta;  or,  The  Prophecy.    By  Maj.  RichnidHou. 

81.  Matilda  Itlontaomerle;  or,  The  Prophecy  Fulfilled.    By  Maj.  Richardson. 
83.  Ton&  Brown's  School-Days.    By  Thumac  Hughes.  * 

83.  Ecartc  ;  or.  The  t-iilon*  (if  Paris.    By  Maj.  Hichardson. 

81.  Canonbury  House;  or,  Tlio  Queen's  Prophec.v.    By  O.  VV.  M.  Reynolds. 

85.  Ada  Arundel;  or.  The  Secret  Corridor.    By  O.  W.  M.  lleynolds. 

86.  Olivia;  or,  The  Maid  of  Honor.    By  O.  VV.  M.  Reynolds. 

87.  HardseiaHible;  or,  The  Fall  of  Chicago.    By  Major  Hichardson. 

88.  The  Miser's  Will ;  or.  The  Doom  of  the  Poi^^oncr.    By  (i.  W.  M.  Reynolds. 

89.  The  Be^<;ar  of  Nlmes.    A  Novel  of  exciting  intereht.     By  Alex.  Dumas. 

00.  The  Creole  Wife;  or.  Secret  Regl^'ter  of  the  Prefect  of  Police.    By  Dnma» 

01.  The  Murohloness;  or,  A  Marriage  by  Will.    By  Octave  Feuillet. 

02.  Kdlth  nayton.    A  Novel.    By  J.Oordon  Bartlelt. 

03.  Scenes  from  tlie  Note-Rook  of  a  New  York  Surj^eon. 
0-1.  Out  of  taje  Streets.    A  Story  <>f  New  York  City  Life.    By  Charles  Gayler. 

05.  Thackeray'M  Ballads  and  Poems.    Illustrnled. 

06.  Tlio  Stranse  Case  of  Dr.  Jckyll  and  ITIr.  Hyde.    By  R.  L.  Stevenson. 

07.  RivlnjESton;  or.  The  Young  Iluoear.    By  Prof  J.  H.  Ingraham. 

08.  Captain  Kyd;  or.  The  Wizard  of  the  Seas.    By  Prof.  J.  11.  Ingraham. 

90.  Kate  Penrose ;  or.  Life  and  itp  LesHons.    By  Mrs.  Iluliheek. 

100.  Jessie  Cameron.    A  Highland  Story.    By  Laoy  Racliel  Butler. 

101.  Rebels  and  Tories;  or,  The  Blood  of  the  Mohawk.    By  J.  F.  Cooper. 

102.  The  Courit's  Niece;  't,  The  Veteran  of  Marengo.    By  Paul  Precton. 

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No.  1    Allan  Quatermaln.    By  H.  Rider  Haggard .35 

**     2    Kins  Solonion*(i  mines.    By  U.  Rider  Haggard 25 

««     3    my  marrtatfe.   "  THE  HEART  OF  A  WOMAN:'  A  Domestic 

Novel 25 

((    4    Tlie  Strange  Case  of  Dr.  Jekyll  and  mr.  Hyde.  By  R. 

L,  Stevcui'cn 15 

«(  6  Site :  A  History  of  Adventure.    By  H.  Rider  Haggard 25 

"  6  A  Modorn  Circe,    By  the  " Ducheea " .25 

*(  7  The  Bed  Camellia.    By  Fortna6  dn  Boisgobey .25 

*i  8  As  in  a  liookins'^lass.    By  F.  C.  Philips .25 

i*     9    The  marchioness  •  or,  A  marriage  by  IVlll.  By  Octave 

FeuiUet,  auLlior  of  "  The  Romance  of  a  Poor  Young  Man  " .25 

<i  10    The  Search  for  Ancestors.    By  Fortnn6  du  Boisgobey .25 

**11     Dr.  Jacob.    A  Novel.    By  M.  Betbam  Edwards .25 

**  1 2    Roalltien  of  Irish  Life.    By  W.  Steuart  Trench 25 

**  1 3    The  Crime  of  Chance.    By  Francos  M.  Peard 25 

«  14    Trench's  "Wives;  or,  The  Carrlngton  mystery 25 

»*  1 5    The  Rose  Garden.    A  Lo. e  Story.    By  Frances  M.  Peard 25 

"16    The  Usurper.    By  Judith  Gautier 26 

L**  IT    liove's  madness;  or,  The  Tarantula's  Sting.    A  Ro- 
mance of  Baffled  Plot  and  Wasted  Passion.    By  Mathlldc  Blind.  .25 
"18    Unawares;  or.  The  Notary's  Plot.    By  Frances  M.  Peard  .26 
"  19    The  Squire's  Daughter;  or,  The  mystery  of  Thorpe 

Regis  •** 

«  20    Camllle;  or.  The  Lady  with  the  Camellias.  By  Dumas.  .25 
"21    Lalltte;  or,  The   Pirate  of  the  Gulf.    By  Prof.  J.  H. 

Ingraham **' 

"  22    Christine;     or.    Woman's    Trials    and    Triumphs. 

By  Lanra  J.  Cnrfis ** 

"  23    Out  of  the  Streets.    A  Powerfhl  Story  of  New  York  City  Life. 

By  Charles  Gaylcr *5 

"  24    Chrlstnuis  Tales.    Py  Charles  Dickens •25 

«  26    George  Barnwell.    By  T.  S.  Snrr -a* 

««  26    The   Tenant   House ;    or,  Embers  firom    Poverty's 

Hearth-Stone •-* 

POLUHD  Sl  fnOSS,  Publishers,  42  Park  Place,  New  York. 


y 


.35 

.36 

.25 
.25 
.25 

.25 


Ho.  27    WaconsCa;  or,  The  Prophecy.    By  Richard soi 2f 

*(  28    IKatlivla  Montgonierie;  or,  The  Prophecy  Fulfilled. 

By  Richardson ,25 

**  29    Onr  Cousin  Veronica;    or,  Scezici  and  Adventures 

over  t2ie  Biuc  IKId^c ,25 

*<  30  ]1Ia«anlcIio ;  or.  The  Fishernian^s  Lcasue.  i3y  Alex- 
andre Dumis .25 

**  31    Bcarte;  or.  The  Salons  of  Paris.    By  Major  Hichardson..  .25 

♦*  32    Oliver  Twist.    By  Charles  Dickens ,25 

*<  33    Canonbnry  House;  or.  The  <(ueen's  Prophecy,    By 

Reynolds ,25 

'*  31    Ada  Arundel;  or.  The  Secret  Corridor,    By  Itcynolda. .  ,25 

'^  35    Olivia;  or.  The  ITEaid  of  Honor.    By  O.  W.  M.  Reynolds. .  .25 

**  36    The  Begsar  of  Nlmes.    By  Alexandre  Oumaa 25 

*'  37    John  Barloiv's  Ward.    A  powerful  novel  of  Society ,25 

*'  38    Captain  Kyd;  or,  The  Wizard  of  the  Seas.    By  I'rof. 

J.  U.  Ingraham .25 

<*  39*The  man  Outside.    By  Prof oMor  Clarence  M.  Boulelle.    Ulus..  ,50 

<<  40  *  mrs.  Sparks  of  Paris;  or.  The  Crime  at  Vlntimlslia, 

A  ReallBlic  Novel.    By  A.  Curtis  Bond .30 

**  41  *  Reveries  of  an  Old  Iflald.  Including  her  Ilinta  to  Young  Men 
Intending  to  Marry.  '*  A  perfect  Cyclone  of  Fun."  40th  odition. 
Illustrated ,30 

<'  42    Hardscrabble ;  or.  The  Fate  of  Chlcaffo,    A  Tale  of 

Indiun  Warfare.    By  Major  Rlchardfon ,26 

<*  43    Edith  Dayton,    A  Novel  by  J.  Gordon  Bartlett ,26 

*^  44    The  Din^n^  House  at  Kensington,    An  Esciting  Novel  of 

Eu':;li8h  Ll't*.    Hy  Lady  Helen  Cameron ,25 

<^  45    The  miser's  Will;    or,  The  Doom  of  the  Poisoner. 

By  Geo.  W.  M.  Reynolds 25 

**  40    mary  Glentworth ;    or.  The   Forbidden  marriage. 

By  Geo.  W.  M.  Reyunlds ,25 

**  47    Jessie  Cameron,    A  Highland  Story  of  Love  and  Adventnre. 

By  Lady  Rochel  Butler !< ,25 

**  48    Kory  tvmore,    A  National  Romance.    By  Samuel  Lovor 25 

**  49    Paul  E'orroII,    A  Novel  with  a  Mystery 25 

**  60    CcolTrey  Trethick ;  or.  The  Vicar's  People,    A  Tak  of 

t!ic  C(.rnidh  Mines.    By  Goorge  Manvillo  Penn. .25 

**  61    Kate   Penrose;  or.    Life   and  Its    Lessons,    By  Mrs. 

Llubbock .25 

**  52    Hot<!ornt  Life  Scenes  In  New  York.   By  Solon  Robinson.  .26 

**  53     Flare's  Fantasy;  or,  A  Cry  in  the  Night.    A  Novel  by 

Mar.r  Cruger.. ., .25 

**  54    Joaquin  (the  Claude  Duval  of  California);  or,  The  marauder 

of  the  mines .25 

^*  65  ♦mr.  mceson's  WIU,    By  H.  Rider  Haggard.    Twenty-four  full- 

pige  llhi(>tration8 .25 

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edy for  constipation  which  I  have  ever  prescribed. 

**  As  Sancho  Pnnza  said  of  sleep,  so  say  I  of  your  Gluten  Suppositories :  God 
bless  the  man  who  invented  them  ! "— E.  L.  Ripley,  Burlington,  vt. 

*'  I  have  been  a  constipated  dyspeptic  for  many  years,  and  the  effect  has  been  to 
Deduce  me  in  fle^h,  nnd  lo  render  me  liable  to  no  little  nerve  prostration  and  sleefH 
lessness.  especially  after  preaching  or  any  special  mental  effort.  The  ust  of  Gluten 
Suppositories,  made  by  the  Health  Food  Co.,  ;.,  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York,  has 
relieved  the  constipated  habit,  and  their  Gluten  and  Brain  Food  have  secured  for 
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"  I  cannot  sp&ik  too  highly  of  the  Health  Food  Company's  Gluten  Suppositor- 
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from  these  evils  more  than  twenty  years,  and  have  at  last  found  substantial  relief 
tluoug^i  the  use  of  the  Gluten  Suppositories."— CvRt'sBRAODUKV,  Hopeiale.  Afass. 

^  I  prescribe  the  Gluten  Suppositories  almost  daily  in  my  practice  and -am  often 
ar^tonished  at  the  permanent  results  obtaiived."— J.  Montfokt  Schley,  M.D., 
Protessor  Physical  Diagnosis  Woman's  Medical  College,  New  York  '..  ..y. 

"  1  have  used  a  part  of  a  box  and  found  relief.  ' — Josiah  Morris,  Salem,  N.  J. 

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Trenton,  N.  J. 

^*  Have  used  a  half  dozen  and  never  had  anything  give  me  so  much  satisfaction.** 
—A.  P.  Chaxlton,  M.D.,  Jenne^ville,  Pa. 

"I  find  your  Gluten  Suppositories  an  excellent  remedy  for  constipation." — 
Charles  B.  Easeman,  169  Montrose  Avenue,  Brooklyn. 

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S.  B.  CowLES,  President  Pacific  Bank,  Clarks,  Nebraska. 

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The  SOHMER  Pianos  are  used  In  the 
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PfaDade^hia  Conservatory  of  Music. 
Villa  de  Sales  Convent,  Long  Isbnd. 
N.  Y.  Normal  Conservatory  of  Music. 
.  Vnia  Maria  Convent,  Montreal. 
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THE  WONDERFUL  BIJOU  GRAND 

(lately  patented)  by  filOHIIIEK  ft  CO.. 
the  Smallest  Graxd  ever  manufacCuiei 
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coil  at  the  warerooms  of  SOHMISB 
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WAREROOMS:  149,  151,  153,  155  EAST  14th  ST.,  N.Y. 


